Buddha's hand

The Buddha's hand citron is characterized by the unique shape of its fruit, which is formed by five or more segments that resemble the fingers of a hand. This name appears in a botanical book written during the Jin Dynasty in China (266-420). It is a variety that has been cultivated for hundreds of years in Asia. Another of its characteristics is the complete absence of pulp.

The tree is vigorous although slow-growing; it has a rounded shape and tends to open its branches. The young flowers are purple and aromatic, being a re-flowering variety. The leaves are large, aromatic, dark green, and shiny. The fruits consist only of a thin, smooth skin, extremely fragrant, with a strong but pleasant aroma. The albedo is edible, thick, white, and has a pleasant bite. It lacks pulp.

Given its strong bark aroma, it has traditionally been used as a decorative element, mosquito repellent, or air freshener for closets or rooms. Its fresh albedo is consumed as a dessert, in savory dishes (salads, creams, purees...) or in combination with alcoholic beverages. It is candied in slices, which must first be covered with salt for a month to remove the bitter taste; after washing them, they are steamed and then candied. The resulting sweet is aromatic and tasty. In many places in Asia, it is considered a sign of good fortune.