Author Topic: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?  (Read 4653 times)

simon_grow

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What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« on: April 14, 2017, 11:24:20 AM »
I recently made some Lemoncello with the Meyer lemons I grew and want to make other kinds of cello. I'm growing Gold Nugget Tangerine and Tango and will try to use their Zest for some cello but is there a type of citrus with an especially wonderful smelling Zest or oil that might taste good? I'm thinking Calamansi but the fruit are so small. I also remember Rangpur lime had an amazing smell and taste. Any others I should consider? Thanks!

Simon

simon_grow

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2017, 11:29:23 AM »
Here's a couple pics of my Meyer Lemoncello in front of my Meyer lemon tree.




Simon


fyliu

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2017, 02:06:14 PM »
I'm wondering the same thing about fragrant citrus zest.

Related to this, I'm told that the Chinese dried mandarin peels sold in herb shops are a specific kind that has more fragrance than other types. Any idea if we can get this variety here?

There's a mandarin called tieu in Vietnamese. It has a pretty unique spiciness. I don't have it and don't think it's available publicly here.

spaugh

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2017, 07:17:43 PM »
Mexican lime, pink lemonade lemon.  My mother inlaw made cello liqour out of both of them off my trees.  It was ok but I'm more of a beer or bourban drinker.  I do like a bourbon on ice with a squeeze of key lime in it.
Brad Spaugh

SonnyCrockett

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2017, 09:22:57 PM »
Im not familiar with cellos, but Kaffir lime is supposed to be extremely fragrant and oily.  I haven't personally smelled the fruit, but smelled the crushed up leaves of one yesterday.  It had a nice, very strong smell - kind of citrus-lime.  They are used in Thai cooking for that reason.  And there is also the Bergamot sour orange, the oils of which are used to flavor Earl Grey teas.  I'm a big fan of Earl Grey teas.  The smell is really something special.

Sylvain

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2017, 05:12:59 AM »
For me Yuzu has the best smell and makes the best cello (yuzucello).

vlan1

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2017, 09:47:50 AM »
I would think blood orange would also be a good candidate for aromaticness.

bsbullie

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2017, 12:31:09 AM »
I would think blood orange would also be a good candidate for aromaticness.

None of the bloods I have had have had any exceptional aromas.  Pink Lemons do not have much either.  While key limes can be aromatic, nor sure they would make a very good cello..

What about Buddha's Hand or Calamondin?  Limequat?  Melogold, Oro Blanco or Chandler?
- Rob

Mike T

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2017, 02:00:04 AM »
My Kaffir Lime pumps out good sized fruit like a machine.The zest seems more fragrant and 'citrusy" that of other citrus.The zest is great in cooking and more intense that the foliage.

Mike T

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2017, 02:02:30 AM »
Some mandarins are very fragrant especially the softer skinned types. Imperial mandarins have particularly fragrant peel.

brian

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2017, 11:19:39 AM »
Minneola Tangelo is very good.  Close to meyer lemon

simon_grow

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2017, 09:07:40 AM »
Thanks for all the replies!

I went to the supermarket to sniff their citrus, it's kinda difficult because the non organic ones have bees wax coatings. Anyways, the tangerines and the Minneola Tangelos smelled the best according to my nose and personal preference. Now I just have to find organic ones since I will be using their zests. I think Calamansi and Rangpur lime may be better but I don't currently have any to do a direct comparison.

Simon

Bush2Beach

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2017, 02:39:14 PM »
I love the smell and taste of finger lime skin.
That one really sticks out to me as unique. Also the "Ginger" lime is special , leaves and zest.

SonnyCrockett

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2017, 07:03:41 PM »
What is a "ginger lime"?

Is that a type of finger lime or desert lime or something else?

bsbullie

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #15 on: April 18, 2017, 01:03:13 AM »
The Red Lime would also be an excellent choice.
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Chas

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #16 on: April 18, 2017, 08:58:26 AM »
Yuzu is my favorite! I've made an excellent Yuzucello.

Bush2Beach

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #17 on: April 18, 2017, 12:45:52 PM »
Something else entirely. Here's a link to an article that describes it from the source.

http://www.cookingissues.com/index.html%3Fp=3965.html


What is a "ginger lime"?

Is that a type of finger lime or desert lime or something else?

SonnyCrockett

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #18 on: April 18, 2017, 11:31:42 PM »
Something else entirely. Here's a link to an article that describes it from the source.

http://www.cookingissues.com/index.html%3Fp=3965.html


What is a "ginger lime"?

Is that a type of finger lime or desert lime or something else?

Well...that sounds interesting.  I really like ginger flavor.  Now I just need to find one of those plants or bud wood.

Citradia

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #19 on: April 22, 2017, 07:30:43 AM »
I think my poncyrus trifoliata fruit smells good when cut open. Similar to lilacs. 

So_Cal_Mike

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #20 on: May 15, 2017, 12:37:16 AM »
Moro blood orange has a very perfumey fragrance... I also agree that finger lime peel smells unique and would make an interesting choice.
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SoCal2warm

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Re: What is the best smelling citrus peel/oil?
« Reply #21 on: May 16, 2017, 02:29:24 AM »
I think the rind of the red-fleshed pomelo varieties has an almost floral fragrance to it.
There are also several Japanese citrus whose peel has a unique flavor/fragrance. Yuzu, for example, has the aroma of lemon, kaffir lime, a sour bitter tangerine, the fragrant peel of a Satsuma, all combined together along with the subtle but distinct smell of grapefruit (maybe the overall composition of yuzu fragrance is like a quarter grapefruit). Many of these citrus varieties are used in Japanese cooking primarily for the zest from their rind, rather than what is inside.