If you've ever been to Italy, you might have noticed that the fruits featured in many dinners and desserts are ones you know and love. Lemons, oranges, apples, pears, and peaches are all commonly seen and tasted. But there's one important fruit that rarely appears on the menu: citrus bergamot.

Once you see a picture of bergamot, the lack of it on menus won't come as much of a surprise. The fruit, which originated in Italy, is about the size of an orange and doesn't look very appetizing — or even edible — with its thick, wrinkly, deep-green peel. But you've probably tasted it before; the oil from the rind is used to flavor Earl Grey tea.