Buddha’s Hand is a uniquely shaped and very fragrant citrus fruit grown locally here on Maui at Howard’s Nursery. More well known in China and Japan for perfuming rooms and personal items such as clothing, this fruit is also given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the “fingers” of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer.
The peel of the Buddah’s Hand can be candied and is often used for its zest. The inner white pith is not bitter as is usually the case with other citrus fruits, so the fingers may be cut off and then longitudinally sliced, peel, pith, and used in salads or scattered over cooked foods such as fish.
Look for this gorgeous fruit at Foodland Farms Aina Haina, Foodland Kailua and Foodland Kapolei in limited quantities, while supplies last.