The tree is like that of any other citrus fruit, so it resembles an ordinary lemon tree. It can reach a height of no more than five metres; however, its fruit is nothing like a lemon. At first glance, it might seem an abortion, a misshapen lemon, and this is because the fruit is fragmented into finger-like sections. Its name is Buddha's hand (Citrus medica var. Sarcodactylis). The Romans were the first to document it, using it as a medicinal product until they discovered its culinary potential.
The most curious of all is that it has no juice or pulp, and hardly any seeds. Almost the whole fruit looks like peel; however, that's where its flavour, fragrance and aroma are hidden. Its peel, when grated, can be used in baking and to add flavour to some dishes, so restaurants are its main customers. They ripen from green to yellow. Many cooks usually cut and freeze them, because once ripe, they do not have a long shelf life.
The origin of this strange-looking fruit is North West India, but Buddha's hand can also be grown in southern Europe, in frost-free areas. Like most citrus fruits, Buddha's hand does not require special care during cultivation. In Spain, the east coast and Andalusia would be the ideal places to plant this species. In Malaga, only a small number of growers have dared plant it, and many of those have done it more for ornamental than for commercial purposes, and this despite the prices that the product reaches, given its rarity.
At the Atarazanas market, they can be found at Frutos Pozo. Its owner, Alfonso, buys them from a producer from the municipality of Frigiliana. Since the fruit is grown in the province of Malaga, it has a price of 10 Euro a piece. "If they were imported, I would have to sell them for 25 Euro per fruit," he points out. This is an astronomical price if we take into account that a kilo of Fino or Primafiori lemons, whose harvest is in full swing in Malaga, reach a maximum of 0.70 Euro per kilo at origin.
Source: diariosur.es
