Cultivar Florentina | Origin Florence | |
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Species C. × limonimedica Lush. Similar Sanboken, Komikan, Mandora, Bizzaria, Melogold | ||
Florentine citron
The Florentine citron – citron hybrid of Florence (Italian: cedrato di Firenze) – is a very fragrant citrus fruit, which is named after its most known origin of cultivation. Its scientific name is Citrus ×limonimedica 'Florentina' Lush.
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Source and genetics
The source of this variety or hybrid is from the Italian Renaissance gardens. Today it is considered to be a lemon × citron hybrid.
It's well known to be one parent of the Bizzaria chimaera.
History and uses
It was first carefully described by Johann Christoph Volkamer in his Nürnbergische Hesperides, who gave a detailed account for original citrus types, mutations and hybrids, along with professional illustrations. He has many illustrations from the Florentine citron, as growing for itself, or on the Bizzaria tree. Those illustration are resembling it's look of today, with a precise accuracy.
He also writes that it has a very pleasant fragrance, similar to variety etrog.
This hybrid was never reported to be used as Etrog by Jews in the Feast of Tabernacles, as hybrids are not kosher for this ritual.
The most popular Italian variety, namely the Genoese citron, was very well respected and praized by Ashkenazic and Sephardic communities.