Bergamot (Buddha’s Hand, Golden Edge White Flesh) (The fruit has finger-like lobes, thin slices, finger-shaped lobes, orange peel, and bright yellow-white pulp)

【Naming】

Bergamot

 【Source】

Tu Jing (Illustrated Materia Medica)

 【Common Usage Level】

D

 【Botanical Origin】

Rutaceae Bergamot Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylus Swingle. Dried slices of the fruit.

 【Characteristics】

Fresh Bergamot: The lower part is round, the upper part is branched, and it is cylindrical, finger-shaped, with varying degrees of bending and stretching, and varying lengths. It is generally 12-16 cm long. The tip is slightly pointed or twisted. The outer skin is orange-yellow or greenish-brown, with irregular deep wrinkles and sparse wart-like protrusions. The skin is about 1.5-4 mm thick. The inner pulp is off-white, and there are two longitudinal tendon-like stripes in the center, extending directly to the top. The texture is relatively soft and tough, with a fragrant aroma and a sour and bitter taste.
Processed slices: Mostly longitudinally cut into thin slices, wrinkled and slightly curled, elliptical or oval-shaped thin slices, 6-10 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, and about 0.2-0.4 cm thick. The top is slightly wider, often with 3-5 finger-shaped lobes, and the base is slightly narrower. Some may have fruit stalk scars. The outer skin is yellow-green or orange-yellow, with wrinkles and densely pitted uneven oil spots. The pulp is light yellow, with uneven tendon points, and scattered criss-crossing lines (vascular bundles). The texture is hard and brittle, and becomes soft and tough after being exposed to moisture. It has a fragrant aroma and a slightly sweet, pungent, and then bitter taste.

 【Identification】

The best quality has large slices, green skin and white flesh, and a strong aroma.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. Golden Edge White Flesh: Refers to the edge of the sliced Guangfo Shou (Bergamot) medicinal material being yellow and the inner pulp being white.

 【Category】

Fruits