Can you eat an etrog?

Etrog skin, when rubbed, is intoxicatingly fragrant, somewhat like a lemon. And although hardly a meal, the thick white pith inside is edible and mildly sweet.

What fruit is an etrog?

yellow citron
Etrog (Hebrew: אֶתְרוֹג, plural: etrogim; Ashkenazi Hebrew: esrog, plural: esrogim) is the yellow citron or Citrus medica used by Jews during the week-long holiday of Sukkot as one of the four species.

What does an etrog look like?

The fruit looks like a large, oblong lemon with a thick, bumpy rind. The pulp is pale yellow with lots of seeds and, as mentioned, a very acidic taste. The aroma of the fruit is intense with a hint of violets. The leaves of the etrog are oblong, mildly pointed and serrated.

How do you put cloves in an etrog?

Use a skewer, darning needle or toothpick to make a row of 5 or 6 holes in the rind of your etrog. Once you have made the holes, insert the pointed end of a clove into each one. Push the cloves well in so just the ‘head’ of the clove is on the surface. Rinse and repeat!

What is etrog used for?

etrog, (Hebrew: “citron”) also spelled ethrog or esrog, plural etrogim, ethrogim, esrogim, etrogs, ethrogs, or esrogs, one of four species of plants used during the Jewish celebration of Sukkot (Feast of Booths), a festival of gratitude to God for the bounty of the earth that is celebrated in autumn at the end of the …

What is an etrog good for?

Like Uzi Eli, Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic healing system developed in India over 3,000 years ago, uses etrog juice to curb nausea and excessive thirst; references in Ayurvedic literature from 800 BC have led many to believe that the citron is native to India.

Why do Jews use an etrog?

Jews came to see the aromatic citron as God’s chosen fruit for the Sukkot holiday to fulfill the biblical commandment to “take the product of goodly trees”; by the late Second Temple period, disgruntled Israelites were using the nearly rock-hard etrog to pelt their ruler, King Alexander Jannaeus, according to one first …

Is an etrog the same as a lemon?

An etrog is not a type of lemon, but rather the other way around. The Jews weeping by the rivers of Babylon came across etrogim while in exile there (around 586 to 516 BCE) and brought them back to the Land of Israel when they returned to build the Second Temple. It became a symbol that adorned coins and synagogues.

Where are Etrogs grow?

Etrog, also known as yellow citron, is primarily grown in the Mediterranean, Israel, and a few Central and South American countries. The tree is small and shrub-like, and grows fruits that resemble large, oblong lemons with a bumpy rind. Inside, you’ll find pulp that is a pale yellow with lots of seeds.

What does the etrog symbolize?

Each species is said to kabbalistically represent an aspect of the user’s body; the lulav represents the spine, the myrtle the eyes, the willow the lips, and the etrog represents the heart.

Can you cook with etrog?

I have never heard of an etrog being used anywhere in American cooking—although it is often used in Asian cuisine in desserts or pickling. For a fruit that can cost upwards of $30, it is a shame that they often get thrown away after the holiday. Instead, try out one of these recipes to get even more bang for your buck.

Is etrog a lemon?

The Etrog citron looks like a large, knobby and sometimes ribbed lemon. It is a species of citrus fruit and is related to the Buddah’s Hand. One characteristic of this variety of citrus is a very thick rind and aromatic skin.