Even though citrus is not directly mentioned in the Bible, varieties of citrus did grow during biblical times and became part of the the religious culture of the time.
Even though there was no word for “citrus” in ancient Greek or Hebrew dialect, we learn about this type of fruit, not in biblical text, but rather in written instructions for religious ceremonies in which the fruit mentioned appears to fit the category we know as citrus.
Take a look at how historians have come to understand the citrus fruit of biblical times.
Etrog is the Celebration Citrus
"And you shall take on the 1st day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God 7 days!" Leviticus 23:40.
Described in the Bible as early as 200 B.C., etrog is commonly referred to as peri eitz hadar, literally translated to a 'fruit of the beautiful tree.' So even though there is no direct mention of the word “citrus” in this Bible verse, historians believe the 'fruit of a beautiful tree' would be this citrus fruit.
Through other historical writings and religious manuscripts outside of the Bible, it is learned that etrog, or ethrog, is an oblong fruit with knobby skin, which is light gold in color. Jewish people were introduced to this fruit in Babylonia during their exile there and carried it back to Palestine. Etrog, a member of the larger class citron, became one of the 'four elements' (palm branch, willows, myrtle, and citron) in the religious Feast of Booths.
In traditional Jewish culture, the fruit must be as unblemished as possible for religious ceremony. This means extra care is needed to cut around the leaves and thorns to prevent scratching the fruit.
Also, if dust or dirt gets caught in the fruit's stomata during growth, it will later appear as a black or brown dot on the fruit, which is unacceptable for religious ceremonies. This perfection wouldn't very likely occur if the etrog was shipped, therefore making etrog a fruit that needed to be grown locally.
Of course, shipping containers have improved so Jewish families can find this fruit just about anywhere in the world today. Harvesting techniques have also improved in order to provide enough etrog wherever it is needed for religious ceremony.
In order to ship properly, the fruit is picked while still green, taking advantage of the excretion of ethylene gas to further ripen the fruit in a controlled manner. This is the same gas that is naturally released from apples, so some growers simply put the fruits in the same box as apples when transporting.
For commercial use etrog is generally harvested no earlier than January when it is at optimum size. As prescribed in religious writings, the fruit can only reach the size of a hen's egg in order to be considered kosher, but as long as the etrog can be held with one hand, it will work.
Citron is a Varied Family
While the etrog is generally grouped under the larger classification of citron, there are numerous varieties. Some are ribbed and bumpy on the outer rind. One variety even has finger-like projections, which is commonly referred to as 'Buddha's Hand.'
During biblical times, aside from religious ceremony, citron was used for medical purposes for combating seasickness, intestinal problems, and even as an antibiotic and antidote to poison.
The citron is unlike the more common citrus species we are familiar with today. While those more popular fruits are peeled to consume their pulpy and juicy segments, the citron's pulp is dry, containing a small quantity of juice, if any.
The main content of a citron fruit is the thick white rind which cannot be separated from the segments easily. Other than religious ceremony, today the citron is used for the fragrance or zest of its rind.
Papeda is a Peculiar Citrus Cousin
The papeda group includes some of the most tropical, and yet frost-tolerant, citrus plants. Because of this unique combination, it is believed that papeda may have been found in cold mountainous regions of Asia as well as hot, desert areas. Biblical references to this particular citrus are not made, but as a member of the citron family, and because of the ability to grow in most of the lands of biblical times, papeda would very likely be a part of the fruit basket.
Many papedas are known for slow growth, small size relative to other citrus species, and thorniness. Though all papeda fruits are, in fact, edible, some varieties are considered too sour or bitter to actually want to eat.
However, when food is scarce, this citrus fruit may have been consumed, but just nothing to write home about. This could explain why it would probably not be written about in biblical times.
If you search for citrus fruits in the Bible, you won't find any direct references, but you will discover some very unique uses for what was a part of the citron family. Both religious and medical, when people of biblical times were given the gift of citron, or citrus, they made use of it to the best of their ability.
Because of the region, many varieties would have been grown and harvested. You not find Etrog, Buddha's Hand, or Papeda in your neighborhood grocery store, but the uniqueness of these citrus fruits would be well worth the search.
Brand new Easy Citrus Recipes Cookbook for the Summer!
Just published instant download in both eBook & kindle versions!
learn more here and buy online:
http://www.squidoo.com/easy-citrus-recipes
or first learn more here, along with more free citrus recipes:
Take a look at how historians have come to understand the citrus fruit of biblical times.
Etrog is the Celebration Citrus
"And you shall take on the 1st day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God 7 days!" Leviticus 23:40.
Described in the Bible as early as 200 B.C., etrog is commonly referred to as peri eitz hadar, literally translated to a 'fruit of the beautiful tree.' So even though there is no direct mention of the word “citrus” in this Bible verse, historians believe the 'fruit of a beautiful tree' would be this citrus fruit.
Through other historical writings and religious manuscripts outside of the Bible, it is learned that etrog, or ethrog, is an oblong fruit with knobby skin, which is light gold in color. Jewish people were introduced to this fruit in Babylonia during their exile there and carried it back to Palestine. Etrog, a member of the larger class citron, became one of the 'four elements' (palm branch, willows, myrtle, and citron) in the religious Feast of Booths.
In traditional Jewish culture, the fruit must be as unblemished as possible for religious ceremony. This means extra care is needed to cut around the leaves and thorns to prevent scratching the fruit.
Also, if dust or dirt gets caught in the fruit's stomata during growth, it will later appear as a black or brown dot on the fruit, which is unacceptable for religious ceremonies. This perfection wouldn't very likely occur if the etrog was shipped, therefore making etrog a fruit that needed to be grown locally.
Of course, shipping containers have improved so Jewish families can find this fruit just about anywhere in the world today. Harvesting techniques have also improved in order to provide enough etrog wherever it is needed for religious ceremony.
In order to ship properly, the fruit is picked while still green, taking advantage of the excretion of ethylene gas to further ripen the fruit in a controlled manner. This is the same gas that is naturally released from apples, so some growers simply put the fruits in the same box as apples when transporting.
For commercial use etrog is generally harvested no earlier than January when it is at optimum size. As prescribed in religious writings, the fruit can only reach the size of a hen's egg in order to be considered kosher, but as long as the etrog can be held with one hand, it will work.
Citron is a Varied Family
While the etrog is generally grouped under the larger classification of citron, there are numerous varieties. Some are ribbed and bumpy on the outer rind. One variety even has finger-like projections, which is commonly referred to as 'Buddha's Hand.'
During biblical times, aside from religious ceremony, citron was used for medical purposes for combating seasickness, intestinal problems, and even as an antibiotic and antidote to poison.
The citron is unlike the more common citrus species we are familiar with today. While those more popular fruits are peeled to consume their pulpy and juicy segments, the citron's pulp is dry, containing a small quantity of juice, if any.
The main content of a citron fruit is the thick white rind which cannot be separated from the segments easily. Other than religious ceremony, today the citron is used for the fragrance or zest of its rind.
Papeda is a Peculiar Citrus Cousin
The papeda group includes some of the most tropical, and yet frost-tolerant, citrus plants. Because of this unique combination, it is believed that papeda may have been found in cold mountainous regions of Asia as well as hot, desert areas. Biblical references to this particular citrus are not made, but as a member of the citron family, and because of the ability to grow in most of the lands of biblical times, papeda would very likely be a part of the fruit basket.
Many papedas are known for slow growth, small size relative to other citrus species, and thorniness. Though all papeda fruits are, in fact, edible, some varieties are considered too sour or bitter to actually want to eat.
However, when food is scarce, this citrus fruit may have been consumed, but just nothing to write home about. This could explain why it would probably not be written about in biblical times.
If you search for citrus fruits in the Bible, you won't find any direct references, but you will discover some very unique uses for what was a part of the citron family. Both religious and medical, when people of biblical times were given the gift of citron, or citrus, they made use of it to the best of their ability.
Because of the region, many varieties would have been grown and harvested. You not find Etrog, Buddha's Hand, or Papeda in your neighborhood grocery store, but the uniqueness of these citrus fruits would be well worth the search.
Brand new Easy Citrus Recipes Cookbook for the Summer!
Just published instant download in both eBook & kindle versions!
learn more here and buy online:
http://www.squidoo.com/easy-citrus-recipes
And I include 4 more
cookbooks as a bonus!
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