Giant Citrons Reach Record Weights, While Perfect Ones Fetch Thousands

The citron, an ancient citrus fruit botanically considered one of the four original citrus species from which all others evolved, is gaining attention for its remarkable size and value. While lemons and oranges are more common globally, the citron holds a unique place in botany and culture. Farmers have cultivated exceptionally large citrons, with some Yemeni varieties reportedly weighing between 4 and 8 kilograms. Notably, farmer Shadi'or Avrahami developed two giant citrons weighing six and eight kilograms, though these are not kosher for ritual use due to their altered form and lack of juice.

These oversized fruits are not commercially sold and lack a fixed price. In contrast, standard-sized citrons that are perfectly symmetrical and free of blemishes can command exorbitant prices. One such "perfect" citron, without visible flaws or lichen, was sold at auction in New York for a record $18,000. Reports suggest an Israeli grower was behind this sale, keeping his identity private.

The citron, scientifically known as Citrus medica, is the ancestor of many modern citrus fruits, including the lemon, which is an ancient hybrid of the citron and a bitter orange. Its name derives from the ancient kingdom of Media, and it was known to the Greeks as the "Median apple." A unique variety, the "Buddha's hand," is finger-like and used in East Asia as a symbol of luck and prosperity. Historically, citron peel was also attributed with medicinal properties.

In Judaism, the citron is one of the "four species" used during the Sukkot holiday, though the word "citron" itself does not appear in the Torah. "Pri etz hadar," meaning "fruit of the beautiful tree," was interpreted by sages to refer to the citron. It is associated with blessings for easy childbirth and fertility, leading many women to make jam from its pulp after the holiday. The fruit's value was also highlighted in the Israeli film "Oshpizin."