What is Etrog?

Etrog is a specific cultivar citrus Medica , also known lemon. These characteristic almond -shaped fruits were historically used by Jewish people during the important festival of the Sukot, also known as the tale feast. In addition to use for religious purposes, it can also be used to produce candied citrus bark. These fruits are often easily accessible in Jewish communities in weeks leading to skirts and some greenstocks store them in other regions for culinary purposes. The other three species are lulav, Hadass and Aravah , known in English as the Palm Date, Myrtle branch and the branch Willow. According to tradition, these four species are carefully selected to ensure that they are perfectly created and beautiful. When choosing Etrog, people look for symmetriirical sample with its piton, remains of citrus flowers, intact.

Etrog, which will be used in Sukot, must be as little as possible, and ideally should only start yellow. Some people are looking forIt eats the so -called "Belted" Etrogs, which have a narrow area around the center, giving the fruit the shape of an hourglass. The fruit is processed carefully and controls scratches and other defects, which would cause fruit imperfect and therefore not suitable for religious ceremonies.

Etrogs are somewhat elongated shapes, tapering with ends and extremely knife meat. They have very strong leather and pulp that surround small, bitter dry fruits. The taste and aroma of Etrog is probably the most similar to lemon, although real edible fruit is much smaller. Depending on the region, the fruit may be counted with the bark.

If you recover Etrog for religious purposes, you can afford to be less careful when choosing fruit. Look for fruits without soft spots, coloring or mold characters. The fruit may vary in green to yellow, so you don't have to worry too much if you can't find a clearly lemon yellow Etrog. Fruit you canmaintain chilled up to use; Most people do candy, according to instructions for other citrus fruits.

If you live in a warm climate, you can grow Etrog outside; The fruit usually grows in the USDA 10 and 11 zones. Keep the fruit tree in a warm place well insulated from the wind and does not restrict it. It takes about three years to cut Etrog enough enough to grow fruit, and about seven years when Etrog grows seeds to grow fruit. You can also grow lemon in a greenhouse or in the interior where the smell can be quite refreshing, but watch out for thorns!