History
The citron (Citrus medica) is a rare citrus fruit but present in Martinique. It is also called a scented lemon (citron à parfum) or a lemon of the Jews (citron des Juifs). Already known in Mesopotamia for 4000 years BC., the citron was the first citrus fruit that spread in Asia and Europe. Its date of introduction in Martinique is unknown but it would have arrived first in Puerto Rico in 1640, imported by the Spaniards.
Today the citron is present all over the world.
Note that the citron is nicknamed the lemon of the Jews because it is mentioned several times in the Torah, the reference book of the Jews. Also, this fruit is an integral part of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Varieties
There are many varieties of citron depending on where it is on the globe (cf. the variety Sarcodactylis, the fingered citron found in Asia, see photo opposite). The citron is fragrant, most often oblong, obovoid, or oval, sometimes pear-shaped, but very variable. The shapes are diverse and smooth or rough fruits sometimes appear on the same branch. One shape is deeply divided from the apex into slender sections. Often there is a salient style. Its size also varies considerably from 9 to 30 cm in length.
The skin is yellow when fully ripe, usually rough and bumpy but sometimes smooth. Most of the time very thick, fleshy, well hung. Its pale yellow or greenish pulp is divided into 14 or 15 segments, firm, not very juicy, sour or sweet and contains many mono-embryonic seeds, ovoid, smooth, white inside.
The citron tree is a slow-growing shrub or small tree up to 2-4.5m tall with stiff branches, stiff twigs and short or long thorns in the leaf axils. The leaflets are persistent, lemon-scented, ovate-lanceolate or elliptical ovate, 6-18 cm long, leathery, with short petioles.
The fragrant flowers about 4 cm wide, in short racemes, are mostly perfect, but some male due to pistil abortion. They have 4 to 5 petals, often pinkish or purplish on the outside, with 30 to 60 stamens.
Health benefits
The therapeutic virtues of citron are numerous. Among them is its ability to reduce the risk of cancer, support weight loss efforts, lower blood pressure and acidity in the gut, soothe pain, and strengthen the immune system.
Like other citrus fruits, citrons are thought to help reduce the risk of cancer by slowing the progression of disease in the body and by making carcinogens inactive.
The potassium, vitamin C, and other electrolytes in this fruit help improve blood pressure by reducing pressure on the arteries and reducing the risk of heart attack, atherosclerosis, and stroke.
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the juice and essential oil of this fruit make it ideal for acute pain or chronic conditions, such as headaches or discomfort from arthritis.
With a high level of vitamin C, citron can stimulate the immune system and increase the production of white blood cells, the body's first line of defense against infections.
Uses
In the West Indies, the thick and fragrant rind of the citron is candied in sugar. It can also be used in the design of carbonated drinks, alcoholic drinks, syrups, candied bark, jams or even marmalade.
