Etrog

Description

Etrog (Hebrew: ?????????) fruit looks somewhat like an oblong lemon, but with a shape that approximates the flame of a candle. The mature fruit is considerably larger than a lemon. The rind is yellow, glossy, thick and bumpy. It is very fragrant, with a distinctive aroma of violets. Seeds are numerous. The pulp is pale yellow and acidic, but not very juicy.

Etrogs primarily are grown for Jewish ritual use in the Sukkot harvest festival, held in September or October. Jews believe that this is “the fruit of a goodly tree” mentioned in Leviticus 23:40.

The beauty of the fruit is important to observant Jews, and unblemished, shapely fruits – always a small minority of the crop – can sell for up to $500 or more. Blemished specimens, and fruits from grafted trees, are sometimes sold for culinary use.

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Average weight of current stock – 160-260g.