Citron (Xiang Yuan) (Thick mesocarp, 9-12 segments in the pulp)

Citron (Gou Yuan)

Citron

【Naming】

Citron

 【Source】

Bencao Shiyi (Supplement to Materia Medica)

 【Common Use Level】

E

 【Botanical Origin】

Mature fruit of Citrus medica L. or Citrus wilsonii Tanaka of the Rutaceae family.

 【Characteristics】

Gou Yuan (Citrus medica) is in round or oblong slices, 3~10cm in diameter and about 2~5mm thick. The edge of the cross-section is slightly wavy. The epicarp is yellow-green or light orange-yellow, with sunken oil dots scattered on the surface. The mesocarp is 1.5~3.5cm thick, yellowish-white, relatively rough, with irregular reticulate protrusions (vascular bundles). The pulp contains 11~16 segments, with visible brownish-red, shrunken juice sac residues; 1~2 seeds. The central axis is obvious, up to 1.2cm wide. The texture is soft and flexible. It has a clear fragrance and a slightly sweet, bitter and pungent taste.
Xiang Yuan (Citrus wilsonii) is in quasi-spherical or round slices, 4~7cm in diameter. The surface is grayish-green or yellowish-brown, relatively rough, densely covered with sunken small oil dots, with residual style marks and circular ring patterns at the apex, commonly known as the “gold coin ring”, and fruit stalk scars at the base. The texture is hard. The oil dots on the edge of the cross-section are obvious, the mesocarp is about 0.5cm thick, and the pulp contains 9~12 segments, which are brown or light brown, with yellowish-white seeds in between. It has a fragrant aroma and a sour and bitter taste.

 【Identification】

The best ones are large, with a coarse peel, dark green color, yellowish-white slices, and a strong aroma.

 【Category】

Fruits

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