Bergamot Candies from Nancy Bergamotes de Nancy

The bergamot, a small yellow citrus fruit, is inedible raw, but its rind yields an esential oil much used in perfumery and confectionery. The fruit was first popularized in France by King Stanislas in the 18th century. In 1850, at the suggestion of a perfumer, a candy-maker in Nancy succeeded in marrying the essence of bergamot with sugar, and the bergamot of Nancy was born. To make the candy, sugar is heated over an open flame. Once the sugar is cooked, the essence of bergamot is added; the preparation is then poured on marble table to cool and cut by hand. The translucent amber candy was awarded an AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégé) in recognition of its special place in French confectionery. The lid of the tin features a picture of Nancy's beautiful Place Stanislas.