Candied Buddha’s Hand

by Eddy Van Damme on November 23, 2010

One of the most interesting looking fruits in our world is without a doubt Buddha’s hand or fingered citron. By now you probably know that I have not met a citrus that I do not like and Buddha’s hand is no exception.  Every year when these fruits become available I have an irresistible urge to incorporate them in desserts. The exquisite aromatic citrus along with a hint of Jasmine is a combination which is hard to resist. At times I will place one on our dinner table and skip the flowers.  In China, Buddha’s hand symbolizes long life and happiness. In Japan people will often bring a Buddha’s hand to people’s homes on New Years, as it is believed to present good fortune.  In our home it is a fruit I love to have as it very elegantly perfumes the air.

The interior flesh is spongy and very similar like the white pitch from other citrus but this one has absolutely no traces of bitterness. The fruit itself does not contain juice, so it does limit us in ways to use this fruit.   One of the things I prepare often with Buddha hand is a marmalade which I slightly dilute with Cointreau and serve with croissants or scones. It is very delicious.  Candying Buddha’s hand is also a great way to use this fruit, since it allows us to incorporate it in many ways.

Getting It All Together!

To candy Buddha’s hand, I prefer to remove a good amount of the white spongy part, not that it is bitter, I just prefer the peel more. Candied it will last for many weeks kept in the candying syrup in a refrigerator.

Candied Buddha’s Hand

24 oz Water 720 ml
24 oz Extra fine granulated sugar 720 g
1 Buddha Hand, sliced 1
5 oz Invert sugar 150 g
½ teaspoon Vanilla bean paste 2.5 g
  1. Cut the fruit in slices and remove the majority of the white pith. Set aside.
  2. In a saucepan bring the water and sugar to a boil. Add the fruit and the invert sugar and simmer on low until the white part is nearly translucent and the peel is tender, about 50 minutes.
  3. Place in covered in a refrigerator.

In this article: How to prepare Buddha’s hand.

Buddha’s hand in desserts

8 comments on “Candied Buddha’s Hand

  1. Darienne on said:

    Thanks Chef Eddy. I would love to get a Buddha’s Hand but the season is quite short. I missed it one year by about two weeks. Maybe next time… Thanks again. You are a gem.

  2. I’ve never seen these before! Interesting, thankyou 🙂

  3. I just saw my first buddha’s hand last week at whole foods; before that I never knew they even existed! I am going to have to go get one and candy it! I think I could see using bits of it on a mendiant. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!!

  4. Diana Wallace on said:

    I have never seen this before!!! Beautiful!!!

  5. Hilary Adams on said:

    It looks so interesting!

    I, too, had never heard of it! And I must say, I’m intrigued…

  6. Jack Lawhon on said:

    The Brioche with buddah hand was fantastic ! A big hit this season . I found buddah hand for $3.99 at my local market . Also the english toffee was great . Do you have a recipe for grapefruit marmalade ?

  7. Eddy Van Damme on said:

    Jack,
    Thank you!
    Please give me two weeks and I will post a recipe for homemade grapefruit marmalade.
    Eddy.

  8. I never seen this ingredient before.

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