Saturday, January 23, 2010

Buddha Hand Citron

Have you seen one of these before? I never had until I walked into Whole Foods back in November. I picked it up, smelled it, and thought what in the world do you do with this thing. About 1 week later, as I was surfing the web, I came across a site that told you what to do with this fruit! Yes, it's a fruit. I studied all about this wonderfully crazy, amazing, fragrant, kinda scary looking fruit....I am in love with the 'Buddha Hand Citron' now!
It is centuries old- it traces back to Northeastern India & China. It is very fragrant, very citrus, with a hint of floral. Some people in China use them to fragrant their rooms. The entire fruit is edible. It contains no juice at all. The inside, called pith, is solid white and is not bitter, unlike other citrus, and can even be eaten raw. Sadly it's not truly delicious...until you make Succade!
Candy, that is!!



Cut the Buddha hand in half and then slice it into strips....chop the strips into chunks.

Put them into a saucepan and add 3 cups water & 3 cups sugar. On medium heat bring it to a boil. Once it boils turn it down to a simmer.

The syrup will start to thicken and the fruit will become translucent. You want to continue to cook until the syrup reaches the thread stage (230* F) Once it reaches the thread stage take it off the heat and let it rest in the pot for at least 30 minutes.

Strain the fruit trying to get as much of the syrup off as possible. (Save the syrup) Spread the candy on parchment paper to dry. It will take about a day. A fine crystallized coating will form on the outside. The candy may now be stored in an airtight container and used however you see fit!

Here is the Succade after it has been dried. It's quite yummy. I have been eating it out of the container...I think I might make Morning Glory Muffins and add some of these instead of pineapple. Oh and the syrup....it is yummy in a cup of black tea, it makes it taste just like a cup of Earl Grey.


11 comments:

Susie said...

Wow! That's pretty cool! I learned something new today:-)

Betty W said...

I guess you never stop learning. I had never seen this fruit and would have never guessed that is was one! I wish I could taste your candy, it looks good. But I doubt that we have these here.

Heather said...

That is a lot of work for something no one else in this house would ever dream of eating. I would love to try it, though.

I've never even seen that fruit! Looks like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean!

Queenie Jeannie said...

How awesome!!! I've never seen this or heard of it! Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Okay, that thing is just weird....

Joy said...

That is a totally freaky fruit. I have never ever ever seen anything like that. Glad you were brave to try it.
I wish we had a Whole Foods here. Waaa. I love that store.
♥ Joy

fawn & fern said...

so awesome! can't wait to try this when i come home tomorrow : )

Mrsbear said...

That is one funky looking fruit. I don't know if I'd have the courage to pick one up and attempt to use it. It almost looks like a chicken foot. Not that I wouldn't try your candy. I mean it's candy, come on. ;) And it looks oh so exotic. Very cool.

Julie said...

i have never seen anything like that. amazing. They don't have those here in Budapest, but I will be on the lookout for it. That would make a great Christmas gift! Very cool!

CaraBee said...

That is one freaky looking fruit! Now I'm terribly curious what it tastes like. I may have to track one of those down!

Bethany said...

I've never seen such a strange looking fruit! It does look yummy when it's done though...but the first pictures freak me out a little!