FINGER LEMON, OR BUDDHA’S HAND

Finger lemon is a very unusual citrus fruit which originates from the lower Himalayas and China. It’s often referred to as Buddha’s hand thanks to the shape of the fruit that is similar to the hand of praying Buddha. The mature finger lemon has long separate tentacles which resemble the fingers of the hand.

Finger Lemon, or Citri Sarcodactylis, is a small tree or a shrub with long thorny branches. It grows mainly in India and China. The pale green leaves are big, oblong and about 4-6 inches long. The flowers are white with the purplish outside part. They are aromatic and usually grow in clusters. The fruit is very aromatic. The fingers of the fruit consist only of the white part of the fruit and occasionally a little amount of acid pulp, but the majority of them don’t contain any juice or seeds.

Chemical Components

• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Limonin
• Coumarin
• Diosmin
• Sarcodactylis polysaccharide
• Pectin
• Dietary fiber

Candied Buddha’s Hand Recipe

Cut a Buddha’s Hand fruit into cubes and dip them in boiling water until they become limpid. Drain the cubes, put them in a saucepan and add 1.5 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely. When the syrup reaches 230 degrees, turn off the heat. Let it rest for about an hour. Drain the syrup and keep it in the fridge for making cocktails. Dry the candied pieces of Buddha’s Hand during the night and then store them in an airtight container.