I first saw a Buddha’s hand citron in a museum. The graceful, curly tipped fingers of the fruit had been carved during the Qing Dynasty in milk-colored jade. The carving’s complexity was astonishing and I was equally amazed to learn this was not a fantasy object but the representation of a real fruit.
Since seeing that jade art work, I’ve held, smelled, eaten and “drank” Buddha’s hand citron.
In Japan, China and Korea, the fruit’s “fingers” are thought to resemble the boneless, elegant hands of the Buddha. Fresh, highly scented Buddha’s hand citrons were taken to temples as offerings or were placed on family altars at home instead of flowers to scent a room and to bring good luck, especially during new year celebrations. In Chinese, the fruit is called fo-shou, similar to the words for fortune/blessings and longevity. The fingers of the fruit may be splayed or close together depending on the variation/cultivar grown.
It used to be difficult to find Buddha’s hand citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) in the US. Even in Los Angeles, I couldn’t find a Buddha’s hand fruit no matter how hard I searched in Chinatown and Little Tokyo. Now, Buddha’s hand citron is grown commercially in California and my husband has grown a small, fruit-bearing tree here in the Pacific Northwest (it graced our bedroom in winter and you can see one of its fruits in the blue and gold cup below). In Seattle, even "regular" supermarkets stock it between late October and January.
The smell of Buddha’s hand citron is unique and powerful: sharp, resinous (almost pine-y) with the best attributes of oranges, limes and lemons. When you eat the candied peel of a Buddha’s hand there’s also a distinct floral taste present. Each year in November and December, I buy several fresh Buddha’s hands to scent my house. The fruit lasts for weeks and puts out a potent aroma, on a par with a strong perfume diffuser, candle or bowl of potpourri.
Buddha’s hand citron is all peel and pith, no juice. What's interesting is that the pith is sweet, not bitter, and is loaded with Vitamin C. Buddha's hand peel is often candied and is used to scent teas and vodkas (simply place whole “fingers” in a bottle of vodka for a month as I do). I also cook a divine (if I say so myself) marmalade from the whole fruit. If you can’t find Buddha's hand tea or if Korean honey citron tea is too sweet for you, simply put a dollop of Buddha's hand marmalade in the tea pot while brewing tea leaves. Next time I make babka, I’ll use layers of white chocolate and Buddha’s hand citron marmalade to flavor it.
Many of you may think you're unfamiliar with Buddha’s hand citron but you encounter aspects of it VERY often in all types of toiletries and perfumes: limonene is an extraction from citron (among other citrus sources).
TIP: When you buy Buddha’s hand citrus, look for fresh, firm fruit with a vibrant color (and no brown-tipped fingers or dull skin). To release the glorious scent, rinse the fruit under running water to remove the shiny wax coating some growers use. Also, since most fruit is chilled in U.S. markets, you can't properly judge the aroma of individual fruits till you rinse them and bring them to room temperature (but I've had very few duds over the years).
If you have a Buddha's hand citron story...do share!
Note: all photos by the author with the exception of the jade carving, Qing Dynasty/Qianlong Period, via Sotheby's. If your local museum has a collection of Chinese jades, chances are good you might see an example of a carved Buddha's hand citron.
That sounds like a babka I would like to taste – white chocolate layers and Buddha’s hand-citron marmalade! Wow!
I don’t think I’v seen this fruit here in South Africa but I’m not very observant
Agreed — I was going to write the same thing. And I am generally a hard sell wrt white chocolate. I have to go to the store today and will glance at the produce section to see if my Wegman’s (yes it’s a Wegman’s, but it is the smallest store in the empire and general does not stock “exotic” items) has it.
Thanks, Kevin, for a look at this fruit. And that jade is exquisite.
skalolazka: you’re welcome! Good luck with the citron hunt….
Hi, Merlin…I’ll make that babka in January for my birthday. I certainly think citron would grow in South Africa…maybe there’s not a demand?
How interesting! A new exotic citrus to add in my encyclopaedia.
Learning through perfume about different citrus species (besides from my familiar oranges and lemons) like yuzus and qumqwats. Neither are popular in Spain where I grew up, though plenty of orange trees and the climate could suit.. apparently all citrus are originally native to Asia and implanted elsewhere!
This sounds absolute yummy to flavour 🙂 will keep my eyes peeled!
Cicely, hope you can find one to taste!
I’m currently growing a Buddha’s hand tree. Bought a baby tree in the spring and I’m amazed at how much it grew this summer. Now hoping that bringing it inside for the winter doesn’t shock it too much….
They are fascinating to grow and eat!
JadainGA, ours did good inside but got too robust. It loves ☀️
I have to say I’m slightly creeped out by the hand analogy. It suggests Cthulhu more than Buddha to me?
🤣🤣
Or the Simpson’s monkey paw, if you ever saw that episode.
Didn’t see it but I googled it and yes! Lol!
oooh, yes! definitely
Merlin…had to do an image search, but you are correct!
I bought a gorgeous citron in October and it was not waxed and has dried beautifully. I bought another one last week at Whole Foods and did not realize it was waxed and it got mildewy and weird and I had to throw it away, so get that wax off! They are such a joy and smell like flowers to me!
Sk…America loves its waxed fruit…a pain to deal with.
Any chance you’d share the marmalade recipe?
Dilana…Robin said the same…I’ll be doing another post on citrus soon and can include it with that.
I love reading about this – thank you Kevin.
Yeah I agree the fruit looks creepy but you better believe that if I ever see this for sale, in any market, I’m buying it immediately!!!!
Mike, hope you come across some!
I first saw this fruit in Thailand and stopped in my tracks! WTH was that? It’s fabulous and yes, so fragrant. I need to find one and make some citron vodka and candied citron. The nice thing about a Buddha Hand is it’s almost entirely useable, very little waste.
Kelly: yep…I use every molecule…the sweet pith saves it.
We have a tree at the garden where i work, I put them in the reception area to scent the air.
Datura; cool…are you in California?
Yes, Lotusland outside of Santa Barbara.
Ah…one of my favorite places!!