Cid’s Lemon!
Cid’s prize winning lemon!
Take a look at this beauty courtesy of the lovely Cid, just back from a trip to the big smoke (London for our foreign visitors). It’s called a cedar citron from Italy and Cid has kindly put it next to a standard lemon for comparisson…
It’s a first for me, never knew they existed and Cid tells me they have a ‘lemony/grapefruit scent’. Have you ever come across these before?
Cid also mentioned seeing bergamot fruits and was hoping for some information on them so I’m throwing down the gauntlet for you to find out and enlighten her!
I wouldn’t mind the appropriate amount of gin and tonic to go with it
February 2, 2013 @ 6:22 pm
Rod,
Thought pretty much the same thing!!
February 2, 2013 @ 10:23 pm
Yes. . .tis the citrus season. My husband just brought home some pomelos in time for Chinese New Year. I also scored some Seville oranges at the local Persian market.
Congrats on scoring the citron in London, Cid! You should have runasfastasyoucould with the bergamots as well. They are a bit hard to come by and a wonderful piece of food history.
Have any of your ever heard of Earl Grey tea? Bergamot is what gives the tea its distinctive flavor. It is one of the citrus that is primarly (or almost always) used for its juice - like Seville oranges. Like said Sevillions, it is used to flavor jams and marmalades and in sauces and dressings. Use pretty much anywhere you would use vinegar. With sugar the juice is also used in baking and custards.
February 4, 2013 @ 4:56 am
Laura,
Never knew that re Earl Grey- thanks!
February 4, 2013 @ 3:34 pm
Laura,
I have a habit of returning home from visits to the capital with unusual ingredients. Funny how things change…. in my youth I’d have spent up on fashion and cosmetics!
The bergamots caught me unaware and it did just occur to me that I might end up with an expensive fruit bowl rapidly going off before I could use them, which has been known sadly. Nevertheless, I love seeing these rare items and every time I go there I see something different according to season. I’ve ear-marked a few new foodie joints for my next visit although I don’t yet know when that will be. If there’s anything noteworthy I’ll let Miles know.
This citron is going to be preserved as glace fruit for panettone etc.
Cid
February 4, 2013 @ 5:29 pm
Cid I am off ‘’ darn Sarth to the smoke ‘’ tomorrow . I ll have a quick look !
Limoncello would be good for that lemon
February 4, 2013 @ 8:47 pm
V,
I reckon something like La Fromagerie could be my spiritual home! Let us know if you bring home any treasure.
The citron I brought home is more for candying than limoncelling….. the last amalfy lemons I got from Moxon Street went into the limoncello pot though. Strange looking stuff, not at all like the professional varieties I see in the shops, quite dark in colour and probably a bit too vodka-ish. Just one sip will make your hair curl …. I must parcel some up and send it to Miles
Cid
February 6, 2013 @ 4:20 pm