Maxima Citron - Citrus medica Maxima

Citrus medica 'Maxima' is a variety of citron sought after by collectors for its enormous and truly spectacular fruits. It is an original and highly decorative citrus tree. This thorny bush bears large, well-scented white flowers, in spring and again in autumn, and its fruits resemble oversized, bumpy lemons, changing from green to yellow when ripe. Their pulp is slightly acidic, not very dense, while the skin is remarkably aromatic. Very sensitive to cold, the 'Maxima' citron is a tropical citrus tree that does not tolerate temperatures below 3°C (37.4°F). It is cultivated in pots, to be stored in a greenhouse or conservatory between October and the end of April, at a temperature of around 12°C (53.6°F).

The 'Maxima' citron tree is a small tree of the Rutaceae family, like all citrus trees. The species Cedrus medica originates from Asia, particularly the Himalayas and Indochina. It was introduced to Persia several centuries before our era, and then Alexander the Great brought it to Greece and the Mediterranean basin. It is only grown in the open ground in Italy, Greece, and Corsica. Its habit is sprawling, supported by stiff branches, sometimes a little unruly. It can reach 3m (10ft) in height when grown in the open ground, but will remain smaller when grown in a pot. The branches bear long thorns and evergreen leaves in winter. They are entire, ovate to lanceolate, 6 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long and 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) wide, fairly dark green, aromatic when crushed. The flowering mainly takes place in spring, in April-May, and then again at the beginning of autumn. Gathered in small clusters, the pinkish-white floral buds open into large, star-shaped white flowers. This flowering is followed by the formation of fruits with irregular shapes. They are more or less rounded to elongated ovals and can measure up to over 20cm (8in) long or wide and weigh up to 3 or 4kg. Their very thick skin is green and gradually turns yellow. It has a slightly bitter taste and is rich in pleasantly fragrant essential oils. The light yellow pulp is slightly acidic, not very abundant, juicy, and not particularly flavourful. The harvest takes place in December in the warmest and sunniest regions. 

Cultivated for its ornamental qualities as well as the aroma of its often candied peel, the citron tree is somewhat overlooked in our culinary traditions. The 'Maxima' citron can be used candied to make marmalades, but it can also be used in a more classic way to flavour desserts, grated zest. It is also a medicinal plant with recognized therapeutic properties. The zest of the citron, which is very rich in essential oil, is used in aromatherapy and perfumery. Easy to store, this citrus fruit was once carried on sailing ships, providing a good source of vitamins to combat scurvy. 

Flowering and pollination: Citrus medica 'Maxima' is a self-fertile bush, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting. However, if your citrus tree remains indoors permanently, you will need to occasionally let pollinators do their work or, if you feel delicate enough, perform hand pollination.