Buddha's hand ✦

Main de Bouddha

What it is

It is a citron that never built a fruit: no pulp, no juice, no seeds — the whole thing is rind and pith, split into fingers. In China and Japan it is a new-year offering before it is anything edible, and the specimens whose fingers curl closed, like hands at prayer, are the ones dealers pay for.

In the kitchen

There is no bitterness in the white pith, so use the whole fruit — slice it a millimetre thick, fingers and all, with no blanching. One fruit will perfume a litre of cream or a bottle of spirit in a day; leave it a week and the perfume turns soapy.

Goes with

White sugar Honey Vanilla White chocolate Scallop Olive oil

Same species

Bergamot Candied citron Chenpi Citron Menton lemon Makrut lime

In season alongside

Meyer lemon Clementine Mandarin Orange Yuzu Apple

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