Bee Balm

Bee balm, bergamot, and wild bergamot are loosely interchangeable common names for Monarda, a North American wildflower genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae). These terms are applied across various species rather than pinned to any single one. What actually differs is flavor: the scarlet Monarda didyma is sweet and citrusy, the classic herb of Oswego tea and a bright note for salads and desserts, while the lavender-pink Monarda fistulosa is savory and oregano-like, used in soups, sauces, and meats. None of it relates to the “bergamot” orange behind Earl Grey tea, a Mediterranean citrus plant that happens to have a similar scent.