To me, the most magnificent scent on our planet is bergamot. In food, the essence of this tiny citrus is most commonly added to black tea and consequently becomes prized Earl Grey tea. Several years ago I went through my “Bergamot phase”, where I experimented endlessly with this remarkable essence, and truthfully my love for bergamot is as strong as ever. Partly because bergamot is able to create a sense of luxuriousness in desserts like few other ingredients can. The other reason for my love affair, is that nearly everyone who taste desserts containing bergamot, is immediately captivated.
Adding bergamot to a lemon or lime curd is certainly a very natural addition where the flavors harmonize perfectly and a perfect match is obtained. No discussion there.
The lemon-lime curd which I feature here is one of my favorite methods which I have used for a long time. It is quick to prepare (does not require to be stirred over a double boiler for one hour) and the texture is simply unsurpassed.
Getting it all together!
Prepare the tart shells first with coconut tart dough as featured in On Baking on page 389 or use sweet almond tart dough as shown on my site here . Bake fully and let cool. The curd should not be made before the tart shells are fully baked since the curd has only one final “setting”. The curd can also be used and works especially well for certain fillings in cakes or entremet.
Lemon – Lime Curd with Bergamot
Yield: Curd for 12-14 individual tarts
| ½ Cup | (4 oz) | Extra fine granulated sugar (A) | 120 g |
| ½ Cup | (4 oz) | Half lemon-half lime juice | 120 ml |
| 1Tablespoon | (1 Tbsp) | lemon zest | 2.5 g |
| 2 | (2) | Large eggs | 2 |
| ½ Cup | (4 oz) | Extra fine granulated sugar (B) | 120 g |
| 1 ½ Sticks | (6 oz) | Unsalted butter, soft | 180 g |
| Essential oil of bergamot for food use: a few drops | |||
- In a non reactive saucepan bring to a boil sugar (A), lemon -limejuice and zest.
- In a separate bowl whisk the eggs for 30 seconds. Add sugar (B) and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Pour one fourth of the boiled mixture to the eggs while whisking rapidly. Pour the tempered eggs into the remaining boiled mixture and whisk vigorously until the mixture comes to a rapid boil and bubbles thick like honey. Ensure that the mixture boils as this ensures a proper “set” obtained from the eggs.
- Remove from heat and pour thru a sieve (If desired). Let cool to 125°F (53C°). Stir in the SOFT butter. If any butter lumps remain, heat lightly in a microwave oven.
- Add a few drops of Bergamot essence for food use. Pour the curd immediately into the tart shells and place in the refrigerator.
- When cold cover with Italian Meringue (On Baking pg 417) or Crème Chantilly.
WOW. I’ve never had anything with bergamot before, but the taste of citrus is always pleasing to the palate. It looks good, but I’m sure it tastes good too!
I have some bergamot extract i have been dying to use…now i have a great tart! Thanks for sharing.
Mmmmm! Must. Try. SOON!
bergamot extract, is this the bergamot that smells delicious. I think it is the one… Sounds good. later chef eddy…
We had this over the holiday weekend! It was amazing!
Chef Eddy, you must tell me how you did that meringue….. 🙂
Chef Eddy, I, too, would love to learn how you did the meringue. Beautiful.
Will this set as one large tart rather than smaller individual ones? Thanks
this is the first time i ever heard of bergamot extract but i will pick up some and research different uses for it. I have had lemon curd and this is a beautiful dessert.
Your lemon curd tart is delicious. My mother really loved it.
This sounds amazing! I’ve never made or tasted any pastries made with bergamot ; I will definitely be trying this out at home. We made a lime curd tart with the coconut tart dough and Italian merengue piped on top with a St.Honore tip in class and it was heavenly.