Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: herbiegrowsbananas on June 14, 2010, 18:27

Title: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: herbiegrowsbananas on June 14, 2010, 18:27

Hiya

I went herb buying today and I bought a Wild Bergamot (Monarda Didyma 'Fireball').

They didn't have it with the herbs, it was in the Perennials section, bought I was told that it was defintely edible. I was looking for Red Bergamot...

HOWEVER, on closer inspection it reads 'Not for human consumption!'.

IS this because it's been sprayed with pesticides as a flower, rather than a herb, or is it simply not edible, full stop.

I have an edible garden and my kids help themselves to anything they want, so if it is poisonous then I don't want it in there...

Thanks so much,
Herbie

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: mumofstig on June 14, 2010, 18:43

If Jekka's Herb Farm says it is edible then it is

http://www.jekkasherbfarm.com/details_new.asp?productid=227 (http://www.jekkasherbfarm.com/details_new.asp?productid=227)

It has probably been sprayed as the plant is prone to mildew, that's all :)

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: herbiegrowsbananas on June 14, 2010, 18:53

Come to think of it he did mention that it was mildew resistant...

So, will it be toxic if it has been sprayed?  :unsure:

Herbie

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: mumofstig on June 14, 2010, 19:05

no more than any plant bought in from a nursery, drop of rain and it should be fine IMO

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: DavidT on June 14, 2010, 19:15

Wild Bergamot is M.fistulosa. M.didyma is the perennial garden herb. :D

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 14, 2010, 19:16

... and the oil of bergamot in my Earl Grey tea is something entirely different :)

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: hamstergbert on June 15, 2010, 13:08

OH thinks it was something to do with the Jersey police.....

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: woodburner on June 15, 2010, 20:11

Quote from: Aunt Sally on June 14, 2010, 19:16

... and the oil of bergamot in my Earl Grey tea is something entirely different :)

Are you sure? I've always been under the impression it was indeed monarda didyma that is used. Apparently (according to plants for a future at least) both wild and garden types can be used to make tea with.

Title: Re: Is Wild Bergamot edible?
Post by: mumofstig on June 15, 2010, 20:18

You can make tea with monarda but it is not the same 'bergamot' that is used in Earl Grey tea ...look here for info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea)