The Greek citron variety of Citrus medica was botanically classified by Adolf Engler as the "variety etrog". This is remarking on its major use for the Jewish ritual etrog during Sukkot. It was also called pitima, or the cedro col pigolo, because of its usually persisting pitom.

Is etrog the same as citron?

In Modern Hebrew, etrog is the name for any variety or form of citron, whether kosher for the ritual or not. In general usage, though, the word is often reserved to refer only to those varieties and specimens used ritually as one of the four species.

Is etrog a lemon?

The Etrog citron looks like a large, knobby and sometimes ribbed lemon. It is a species of citrus fruit and is related to the Buddah's Hand. One characteristic of this variety of citrus is a very thick rind and aromatic skin. It has very small sections and many, many seeds.

What is an etrog called in English?

Called "citron" in English and etrog in Hebrew, this fruit is believed to be the first citrus to arrive on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Where can I find etrog fruit?

The origin of etrog, or yellow citron (Citrus medica), is unknown, but it was commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean. Today, the fruit is primarily cultivated in Sicily, Corsica and Crete, Greece, Israel and a few of the Central and South American countries.

What Etrog Citron Tastes like - Weird Fruit Explorer

Is my etrog kosher?

Although the etrog comes in many shapes and sizes, a round etrog is not kosher. A slanted or bent etrog is acceptable, however scrupulous citron seekers will seek out an oval.

What is an etrog tree?

*Etrog Tree

The Etrog refers to the yellow citron (Citrus medica) used in on the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot. However, in Modern Hebrew etrog is also the name for citron of any variety or form, whether kosher or not. Either way, etrogs are not always easy to find when you need them.

Is the etrog native to Israel?

The modern etrog

It is still grown in the orchards of Yemen in the same primitive ways as of old. Today, it is also cultivated by Jews of Yemenite ancestry in Israel. Others vote for the etrogim of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, grown by Berber tribesmen in primitive and ancient conditions.

Where does the etrog grow?

Etrog, also known as yellow citron, is primarily grown in the Mediterranean, Israel, and a few Central and South American countries. The tree is small and shrub-like, and grows fruits that resemble large, oblong lemons with a bumpy rind. Inside, you'll find pulp that is a pale yellow with lots of seeds.

What is the difference between a lemon and an etrog?

Etrog marmalade on toast

Speaking of fruit preserves, etrogim are unlike lemons in that they are very dry fruit with very thick skin. The best culinary use for them is in the form of candied peel, preserves or jam. Certainly makes a festive change from plain old orange marmalade on toast.

How do you eat etrog?

Although the natural fruit is quite bitter, etrog marmalade is a must because the process of soaking in water removes the bitterness and allows the natural strong fragrance to shine. You could eat etrog marmalade on toast, mixed into yoghurt, or slathered on a scone.

Does Citron taste like lemon?

Citron: A super-thick layer of bitter, inedible pith surrounding small to nonexistent juice sacs. The juice is very sour, and the skin is yellowish and smells lemony when the fruit is ripe.

How do you pronounce etrog?

or eth·rog, es·rog. noun, plural et·rogs, et·ro·gim [Sephardic Hebrew et-raw-geem; Ashkenazic Hebrew es-roh-gim].

What can you do with etrog?

Make Etrog Jam

Preserve your harvest by making some fruit preserves -- you can add some etrog juice to bring a hint of citrus to strawberry, orange, or even apple preserves -- or use one of these recipes to make special etrog-centric jams and preserves: Etrog Preserves via Tablet Mag. Etrog Marmalade via Kosher.com.

How do you ripen an etrog?

The fruit is typically picked while still green, taking advantage of ethylene gas to ripen the fruit in a controlled manner. The same gas is also naturally released from apples, so some growers simply put the fruits in the same box as apples.

How long do etrog trees live?

Trees started from cuttings start to bear fruits when 3 years old, reaching peak production at 15 years and would die out in about 25 years. The Etrog citron, to be acceptable when used for religious purposes, must not be budded or grafted.

Can you cook with an etrog?

A customary way to make use of an etrog (or esrog, or citron) after Sukkot (and to render it edible) is to cook it up into a citron delicacy like this one. Some have the tradition to serve their etrog dishes on Tu-Bishvat.

How big is a etrog tree?

Growing conditions

Etrog / Ethrog Semi-Dwarf Citrus trees can grow up to 10'-15' when planted in the ground, but are easily kept smaller if grown in a container or with judicious pruning.

Where can Citron grow?

The main producing areas of citron for food use are Sicily, Corsica and Crete and other islands off the coasts of Italy, Greece and France, and the neighboring mainland. Citron is also grown commercially in the central, mountainous coffee regions of Puerto Rico.

What is a Pitom?

Halachic definition of the pitom

According to Rashi and the Rosh, the pitom is the "head" (rosh) of the etrog. Rabbeinu Yitzchak maintains that the pitom is the oketz (penduncle, or stem at the bottom); in his opinion, the etrog is not invalidated if the pitom breaks off, since it is not part of the etrog.

What is in the lulav and etrog?

The lulav is a cluster of plants: a palm branch, two boughs of willow, and three boughs of myrtle. The etrog is a citron fruit — basically an overgrown lemon. ... The lulav and etrog reconnect us to a time 3,000 years ago when most Jews in Israel lived as farmers, and the rhythm of life was tied to the land.

How can you tell if a lulav is kosher?

The spine of kosher lulav must be at least 4 tefachim long, excluding the tyumos. The preferred size is 16 thumb-lengths, but 13 1/3 thumb-lengths is the minimum length. 11 There is no maximum height for a kosher lulav. A lulav harvested during a shmitta year may be purchased and used for the mitzvah of Arba Minim.

How do you say lulav?

noun, plural lu·la·vim [Sephardic Hebrew loo-lah-veem; Ashkenazic Hebrew loo-law-vim], /Sephardic Hebrew lu lɑˈvim; Ashkenazic Hebrew luˈlɔ vɪm/, lu·lavs.

Is citron a pomelo?

The citron is an old and original citrus species. There is molecular evidence that most cultivated citrus species arose by hybridization of a small number of ancestral types, including citron, pomelo, mandarin and to a lesser extent, papedas and kumquat.