Description
The Bergamote de Nancy PGI is a candy made of fragrant cooked sugar with the natural essence of Bergamot, a yellow-green citrus fruit with a sour flavour and intense aroma.
Production Area
The Bergamote de Nancy PGI production area comprises the Meuse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle and Vosges departments in the Lorraine region.
Production Method
The classic recipe is very simple: 250 gr of cane sugar is melted in a quarter of a glass of water, 250 gr of aromatic honey is added and is then mixed on a low flame for 15 minutes and concludes with a few drops of Bergamot oil. The production processing remains artisanal and is made with sugar, glucose syrup and the natural essence of bergamot, which is added after cooking the sugar known as au cassé. The melted mixture is cooled on a refrigerating or marble table and is then cut by hand with a cutting die or a special blade.
Appearance and Flavour
Bergamote de Nancy PGI should have a unit weight between 2 and 5 gr. It has a flat square form with a clear amber colour. The Bergamot essence gives the candies a particular and unique flavour.
History
The origins of Bergamote de Nancy PGI goes back to the time of René II of Lorraine, also King of Sicily, who brought the essence extracted from the bergamot fruit to France for the first time. The Bergamote de Nancy PGI candy has been produced in its current form since 1857, when they were invented by a confectioner in the Lorena city.
Gastronomy
Bergamote de Nancy PGI keeps its features intact for about four months. It should ideally be stored in a dry place, out of direct light and intense heat. These delicious sweets are to be consumed at any time of the day and leave a pleasant and persistent fragrant aroma in the mouth.
Marketing
The product is sold as Bergamote de Nancy PGI. It is marketed in coloured metal boxes or in bags indicating the name.
Distinctive Features
Bergamote de Nancy PGI is one of the major gastronomic users of bergamot essence, deriving from ancient origins, and now grown in Italy in a defined geographical area of Calabria and protected by the Protected Designation of Origin since 1999. Bergamote de Nancy PGI is also appreciated for its disinfectant ability thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
