Lemon aspen
Acronychia acidula · Herb
Top 10 pairings
Lemon aspen (Acronychia acidula) is an Australian rainforest tree of the citrus family whose pale, marble-sized fruit carries an intense, resinous lemon-grapefruit tang. One of the best-known native "bush tucker" flavourings, the fruit and its juice are used like a tart citrus seasoning in sauces, dressings, marinades, drinks and preserves.
Picking a good onedrag
Firm, pale cream, sharply citrusBruised, soft, winey or furred
Stall freshEveryday bestFresh fruit as a native-food stall or a grower's punnet sells it. Juiced for dressings and drinks, pulped into marinades, or simmered with sugar into syrup and jam. Frozen pulp and powder are judged another way.
SkinCream tinged green or yellow, a mark or two
The squeezeGives a little under the thumb, springs back
SmellCitrus clear but quieter, the resin faint
Stem scarScar dry, the rim darkened a little