Date: 22 Oct 2006 04:40:31
From: Adam Preble
Subject: Bergamot oil
|
In an old Belgian Wit thread, I had brought up trying to play with a
flavor oil to easily change the aroma and flavor of a Belgian wit until
it suits tastes. I hadn't tried it yet and was suggesting it with a
disclaimer that was universally accepted, so I finally got my mittens on
some to see it through.
I can't find a curacao oil locally, but I have managed to get sweet
orange oil (cheap) as well as bergamot oil (expensive). They come in
10mL containers with droppers.
I wasn't planning to dabble with it very soon, but it turned out the
last of a Belgian Wit batch I made wasn't as good as I had thought. So
I decided to stick a drop of the bergamot oil in.
The result was overpowering, but not necessarily unpleasant. It would
be remarkable if I made a batch have the kind of odor that was coming
out of the glass; it's not my plan. Obviously a drop per glass is too
much, but I expected as much. It was similar to Earl Grey tea, but in
that quantities it was much more sour. I did like it a lot.
I think for my next batch I will spice with regular amounts of coriander
and camomile, but use orange peel conservatively, and add small amounts
of the oil until I get the character I want. I don't have an immediate
plan to brew a Wit, but I hope to do one before Thanksgiving.
Anyways, it didn't kill me, which is good. Also, I understand the kind
of sour orange used in a traditional Wit is considered different than
bergamot, but I think they're in the ballpark.
|
