Go Back

Bergamot Marmalade

Before making this marmalade, be sure to check and make sure your fruit resembles mine. What are called bergamots in France, go by different names elsewhere. Just below, I’ve linked to Wikipedia entries describing
bergamot oranges and
citron limetta, which are what they refer to as bergamots in France. And that’s what I used.You can read more about them at
What is a bergamot? For this recipe, you could substitute any sweet lemon, such as a Meyer lemon, although regular lemons would work as well, too.
Course Breakfast
  • 8 bergamots (about 700g) or Meyer lemons, organic or unsprayed
  • 3 cups (600g) sugar
  • 4 cups (1L) water, plus more for blanching the bergamots
  • pinch of sea salt
  • optional: 2 teaspoons, kirsch or limoncello
  • Rinse and dry the bergamots, trim off the stem ends, then cut each in half and pluck out the seeds.
  • Slice the bergamots as thinly as possible. Tip: If you have trouble getting them very small, after slicing, you can use a chef’s knife to chop them to the right size. Don’t use a food processor, as that will make the marmalade muddy.
  • Put in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Let boil for five minutes, then drain well.
  • Return the bergamots to the pot, add the sugar, 4 cups (1l) of water, and salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the bergamots, stirring occasionally, until the marmalade begins to set using the wrinkle test: turn the marmalade off and put a dab on a plate that’s been in the freezer then check it after five minutes; if it wrinkles when you nudge it, it’s done. If not, continue to cook, repeating this step, until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Depending on the heat, the marmalade will take at least 30 minutes to reach this point, although if you’re used to making other jams, it will look slightly more liquid than others when done. You can also use a candy thermometer; the marmalade will be done when the temperature reaches around 218ºF (103ºC).
  • Once done, stir in the liqueur, if using, then ladle into clean jars and twist on the lids. Once cool, store in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for at least six months.

Notes

For those interested in canning and preserving the marmalade, you can find downloadable instructions at the USDA website.