Product Introduction
Buddha's Hand is a citrus fruit with a unique shape, resembling a hand with multiple finger-like segments. Each segment contains only the peel, with no flesh or seeds inside.
Buddha's Hand comes from the Buddha's Hand citron tree (Citrus medica), a citrus plant mainly grown in China and India. The juice from Buddha's Hand can be used to make teas, jams, candies, and other foods.
Main Active Ingredients
Buddha's Hand is rich in volatile oils, with limonene and hesperidin being the primary components. These oils give Buddha's Hand its unique aromatic flavor.
Additionally, Buddha's Hand is high in vitamin C and fiber, providing some nutritional value.
Application Scenarios and Usage
Buddha's Hand has a wide range of applications in culinary and medicinal fields. Here are some common application scenarios and usage:
- Culinary: The peel of Buddha's Hand has a unique fragrance and can be used to enhance the flavor of dishes. It can be used to season meats, seafood, baked goods, and can also be made into jams and candies.
- Medicinal: In traditional Chinese medicine, Buddha's Hand is believed to strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and relieve cough and phlegm. It is used to alleviate symptoms like spleen and stomach disharmony, bloating, and cough with phlegm. It is typically sliced and steeped in water for drinking or included in herbal formulas.
Usage and dosage should be adjusted according to individual needs and recommendations from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or doctor.
Source Plant Introduction, Distribution, and Growth Environment
The Buddha's Hand citron tree (Citrus medica) is the source plant for Buddha's Hand, belonging to the citrus family. It mainly grows in China, India, and other Asian countries, especially common in southern China.
The Buddha's Hand citron tree adapts to various climates and soil conditions but prefers sunny, moist environments. It generally grows at altitudes of 500-2000 meters in mountainous and hilly regions.
Harvesting, Processing, and Storage
Buddha's Hand can be harvested when the fruit is mature. After harvesting, Buddha's Hand needs to be dried in the air or by wind to dry the peel. The dried peel will harden but will not affect its culinary or medicinal value.
To preserve the quality of Buddha's Hand, it should be stored in a cool, dry place, avoiding direct sunlight. If necessary, it can be stored in a sealed container.
