Sì, sì, cìtron
Reading of Calabrian farmers' endeavours to protect and sustain the rare citron (Citrus medica) this morning, I was struck by an overpowering sense of déjà vu. For I'd recently read of the lure of this same fruit, less than four months' ago. On the very same site, as it happens, albeit stuffed into a different pigeonhole. It seems that good topics know no bounds.
But there is an inconsistency with Steinhardt's earlier article. According to him: citrons are far less known than their renowned yellow and orange cousins
, which implies they don't progress beyond the green stage. Petroni clearly shows that they're yellow when ripe. Given his photographic evidence, I'm guessing Steinhardt's rabbis prefer them unripened. Possibly.
Steinhardt's article is unusual for boasting a non-stealth update. Presumably after having offended the Jews, or out of fear of doing so.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly named Menachem Mendel Schneerson as the founder of the Chabad movement. This has now been updated.
Solveig Steinhardt, Citron: The exquisite fruit that brings rabbis, BBC Travel