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It is considered in the world as the golden treasure of Calabria, but its roots are deeply rooted in Albania.
Albania is rich in its fruit and vegetable products, not only in quantity but also in special types, up to the most unique ones in the world.
Such is the case of a completely unknown citrus, which although in a family with lemons and oranges has some characteristics that make it one of the rarest citrus in the world.
It is about Bergamot, the citrus with the botanical name (Citrus Bergamia).
This fruit is mostly used for its fantastic juice, in the preparation of jam or glucose as well as for its aroma as an ingredient in perfumes and essential oils.
Today, this citrus is known as a rare fruit, which is cultivated only on the shores of the Ionian Sea, specifically near the province of Calabria in Italy.
About 80% of this citrus is produced in the world and Bergamot has become a symbol of the whole area.
This is a well-known area for the presence of the largest Albanian community in Italy.
And, there is a connection between the Albanians who live there and this fruit as magical as it is precious in value.
The most sought after fruit in the world for centuries in Albania
In the southern areas of Albania, prominent for the production of citrus, Bergamot which is produced in the wild is collected by the inhabitants of the area.
Also known in the dialect as parchment, it is prepared by housewives like glyco and jam, the old tradition of sweet Albanian cuisine.
Dhurata Thanasi, administrator of the organic shop “Lugës e Argjentë” is one of the few that has among the typical Albanian products the glycone and the bergamot jam.
She tells AgroWeb.org an interesting story about the presence of this for centuries in Albania and how Calabria known today for the production of Bergamot has gained this fame and fortune thanks to the Albanians who emigrated there about 500 years ago.
“It comes from the Albanians who left the country after Skanderbeg’s death, mainly from the village of Horr near Vranisht in Vlora and Xarrë from Konispoli.
As citrus growers from that time, the Albanians who emigrated to Italy and created the Arbëresh community there took with them citrus seeds that grew in their gardens, including Bergamot.
The first Albanians to emigrate to Italy settled in Spezzano Albanese, San Giorgo Albanese and over time throughout Calabria.
They started farming, cultivating crops brought from Albania, including Bergamot.
“Thanks to them, today Calabria is known in the world as one of the only producers of Bergamot,” Thanasi told AgroWeb.org.
Today, to protect the reputation of Bergamot production, the Italian government exercises serious controls including ongoing testing to certify the cultivation of this argument organically.
While in Albania, Bergamot which today is produced in small quantities represents a strong potential for agribusiness.
A Fantastic Fruit In Value
Like all citrus fruits, Bergamot is rich in vitamins and minerals.
It is valued for its properties as a powerful antioxidant.
Bergamot has three varieties, in green, yellow and light orange and is considered a natural remedy against high blood cholesterol.
Its juice is also valued for its strong effects on removing toxins from the body and toxic fluids./ AgroWeb
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