Did you know?

I learn something new everyday. 

Today was all about bergamot.

You know, the flavour in your Earl Grey tea? Or in your favourite body wash?

Well, I always thought that bergamot was a herb/flower. And it is. But that’s not where you get your Earl Grey, fragrance or skin care products from.

No, you get that from an extract of the oils in the skin of the Bergamot Orange. This little citrus is similar in size and shape to an orange but the colour of a lemon. It smells similar to the herb and flowers but all the scents and flavours you get in your products such as tea, perfume, body lotions are from the citrus.

The herb, also knows as Crimson Beebalm, is part of the mint family and has a pretty red flower and is used in traditional medicine, in particular it is used for its antiseptic properties. Although it has been used as a tea, specifically to help with throat infections, no Earl Grey here.

By Joe Schneid, Louisville, Kentucky - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6691558
By Joe Schneid, Louisville, Kentucky – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6691558

The flower, which is technically WILD bergamot is ALSO known as Bee Balm, and it has a small cluster of white flowers and is also part of the mint family. It is also used in traditional medicine as a medicinal tea in treating colds and flu.

So, now I know and you know, unless you already knew. Did you?

My granny’s garden

This morning Beagle_Momma, QueenofComplex and I each woke up with a headache. ย Both of the lovely ladies sat out in their gardens to help ease their headaches ๐Ÿ™‚

I was at my granny bright and early and a lovelier garden you wont find anywhere (IMHO)…

Here are some shots I took with my BB…

A florist exploded…

… and landed all over me ๐Ÿ™‚

All the way from Israel via Netflorist from my brother Matthew
All the way from Israel via Netflorist from my brother Matthew
From Paul
From Paul
From Eli
From Eli
From Ro (I left these ones at the office to brighten my desk)
From Ro (I left these ones at the office to brighten my desk)