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.

Where does a citron tree 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.

Does citron grow in California?

Today there are scattered small plantings of citron in Florida and California.

How do you grow etrog?

Planting Etrog Citron:

Plant in good quality, well draining soil. This tree cannot tolerate wet roots. The tree has very sharp spines, so be careful when moving it or pruning it. Keep the tree in a sunny area and water 2-3 times a week if outdoors during summer, or once or twice a week if indoors in the winter.

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.

Could This Fruit Be the World’s Most Prized?

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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.

Can you eat etrog?

Etrog skin, when rubbed, is intoxicatingly fragrant, somewhat like a lemon. And although hardly a meal, the thick white pith inside is edible and mildly sweet.

How long does it take to grow an etrog?

The etrog is typically grown from cuttings that are two to four years old. The tree begins to bear fruit about four years after planting the cuttings. If the tree is germinated from seed, it will not bear fruit for about seven years, and there may be some genetic change to the tree or fruit.

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.

Can you grow citrus in Northern California?

Gardeners in Northern and Southern California can enjoy fresh-grown citrus. ... Choose a location for your citrus tree that allows the tree enough room to mature. Select a site with well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Citrus fruit needs full sun to ripen properly.

Can you grow lemons in California?

Much of coastal and inland California is ideal for growing lemon trees. Gardeners choosing lemon trees should be aware that some are more sensitive to cold than others and that lemons in general are more sensitive to cold temperatures than most other types of citrus.

Can you grow oranges in California?

There are two types of orange trees grown most commonly in California--Washington Navel and Valencia. ... There are two types of orange trees grown most commonly in California--Washington Navel and Valencia. It fruits once a year, which makes it a long-lasting harvest.

How do you grow citron fruit?

Sow them in a citrus potting mix, water well and keep the pot or choose a location in the garden that gets bright sunlight. The seeds will germinate in 2-4 weeks. Tip: Though you can propagate the citron fruit plant from seeds, it's best to purchase a plant from a local nursery.

What is the difference between citron and lemon?

The pulp of the lemon is juicy, whereas the pulp of Citron is dry. ... Lemons are greenish-yellow or yellow, whereas Citrons are bright yellow in colour. Lemons contain more juice whereas, Citrons contain very little juice in comparison to lemons. Lemons are grown through natural methods.

Are Lemons made by humans?

The analysis shows that today's citrus fruits are the result of millions of years of evolution, followed by thousands of years of human plant breeding.

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.

Do lemons grow in Israel?

Israeli citrus production is spread across the country with the exception of the far south, south of Beer- Sheva, in the North Negev area.

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 can you do with etrog?

Turn your etrog into decor for next year's sukkah. Slice and dry the etrog (air dry or low and slow in the oven is the way to go) then string the piece into a garland. Or, keep the etrog on hand for your next Havdalah -- simply cover the peel with cloves, like you would an orange, and enjoy the beautiful smell.

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 is a etrog in Judaism?

etrog, (Hebrew: “citron”) also spelled ethrog or esrog, plural etrogim, ethrogim, esrogim, etrogs, ethrogs, or esrogs, one of four species of plants used during the Jewish celebration of Sukkot (Feast of Booths), a festival of gratitude to God for the bounty of the earth that is celebrated in autumn at the end of the ...

What are the four species of Sukkot?

These species are lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle), arava (willow) and etrog (citron) and they are used to bless the Sukkah or booth in which Sukkot is celebrated. These four plants are mentioned in the third book of the Torah, Leviticus.

What is an etrog box?

Etrog box (spice box - esrog box) is a type of box used by Jewish in which to keep the ethrog, a symbolic citron anciently used with palm branches in the celebration of the harvest Feast of Tabernacles ( Sukkoth) and still used as a symbol. It has no prescribed form.