Citrus fruit is the star fruit of winter: full of vitamins and benefits , they are tops to help us keep fit. In addition to the traditional lemons, oranges and clementines, there are many other varieties of citrus , original and sometimes unknown.

Exotic citrus 100% french

The family of citrus fruit available in France has grown over the last 10 years, thanks to the patient work carried out by a couple of enthusiasts, Michel and Bénédicte Bachès. These nursery growers established in Eus (Pyrénées-Orientales) have traveled the world in search of new varieties, they have reported, cut, pampered, to make known the diversity of fragrances. Chefs love it ... and so do we! You can find them (in the delicatessen) during the season (until March), without them coming from the other end of the planet!

Citron, combava, yuzu ...

Beyond the classical quartet ( orange , clementine , lemon , grapefruit ), we discovered the charms of lime ( lime, well known to mojito lovers), delicate Japanese yuzu (kind of wild mandarin), combava (lemon bumpy green which only uses zest and leaves) ... We also enjoy the citrats , very popular in Corsica, the spectacular hand of Buddha (a kind of multi-fingered citron), kalamansi (from the Philippines), the very subtle bergamot (the scent of Earl Gray tea), the fun lemon caviar (digiform, it comes in the form of micro-beads) ... Juices, zests, marbles or segments, they are distilled by small touches on fish carpaccios , in salads or desserts, to bring a zest of freshness and liveliness.

What are the favorite citrus fruits of chefs?

Since always, William Ledeuil (Ze Kitchen Gallery, in Paris 6 ^e ) gently invites the citrus in its refined broths. Anne-Sophie Pic pays tribute to them in a scholarly and historical book ( Citrus , La Maison editions, 480 p., 120 €), developed in partnership with the Conservatory of citrus fruits of San Giuliano, in Corsica (1200 varieties!) . As for the young Colombian chef Juan Arbelaez , he shares his original vision (octopus tiradito , vitello tonnato with lemon Meyer ...) in his new restaurant, the well-known Limón (Paris 8 ^th ).