Rough lemon
Citrus jambhiri · Citrus
Top 10 pairings
The rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri) is a coarse, thick-skinned lemon relative whose knobbly, bumpy rind gives it its name. It is famous chiefly as one of the world's great citrus rootstocks — a vigorous, drought-hardy tree onto which other citrus are grafted — yet its juicy, sharply acidic pulp is also squeezed for a rougher, muskier lemon souring in South Asian and East African kitchens, where the tree grows readily from seed.
Picking a good onedrag
Heavy, taut, oil beadingLight, dry, mould at the button
Shop firmBuy itThe all-rounder: souring curries and dals, drinks, pickles, candied peel.
RindYellow and matte, every pit and bump still standing
In the handHeavy, firm, a slight springy give
Button endButton pale or shed, scar dry and flat
Scratched zestCoarse, musky citrus rises when the rind is rubbed
Keeping ittap a temperature
A domestic fridge holds it about 2× longer than the counter.
85–95%
Humidity
Ventilated
Airflow