Why Buddha's Hand Citron Is So Expensive | So Expensive | Insider Business

Buddha's hand citron, also known as the fingered citron, is one of the oldest varieties of citrus. It looks like a lemon with long segments growing from it. Its name is derived from its unusual shape, which also resembles a hand position for prayer. A single fingered citron can cost $25 but go as high as $170 depending on how well-shaped and magnificent it is. The farmers in a small Vietnamese town are reaping the financial benefits, but at what cost? And why exactly is Buddha's hand citron so expensive?
0:00 - Intro
1:22 - Meet the farmer from the Dac So Village
2:20 - Powerful Aroma
2:38 - Getting ready for the Big Festival
3:57 - Tree Care and Harvesting
7:02 - Huge Risks
8:32 - Fingers and the Perfect Buddha’s Hand
10:32 - The Biggest Threat to its Appearance
11:28 - Careful Packaging
12:37 - Local vs International Prices
13:43 - Outro
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Why Buddha's Hand Citron Is So Expensive

[@VEN2oo]

I’m glad y’all didn’t translate by voice because it was great to hear a fellow Vietnamese talk in their native language, I lovd listening to people talk in their native language in this channel!

[@redsx]

Ha completely agree. I was like wait the captions don’t match exactly what he’s saying. But you can only translate so many of the little details of what’s being said. Still loved the video! ✊🏼

[@Highland_Moo]

I could listen to him all day. I’m Scottish and have no clue what he’s saying, but it’s so soothing!

[@Cheeselover76]

As a Vietnamese, I am very familiar with the the Buddha’s hand fruit but this is the first time I have heard about these fruits being used in pastry shops or in liquors. Glad to know that these fruits are good for more than sitting on some offering tables or as an air freshener.

[@keith1291]

It makes the BEST candied rind I’ve ever tasted.

[@sorensenDKuki]

My neighbor has a few of these citrus trees in his yard. He has had them for as long as I have been here (maybe 30 years) and it smells so nice when the trees are blooming, but also when the fruits are ripe. We do get lots of visits from the local agriculture dept due to many citrus trees being around.

[@BenjiSun]

we used to have a couple trees in our garden at a former home as well. the fruits grow pretty easily, but with only a few trees, we don't have the issues a big farm has.

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

0.o Why on earth does some schmuck from the agriculture department think they have the right to come by? Just because your tree's can fruit?!? I'd sue them for harassment if it happens more then once. If they think you're selling it they can try and prove it.

[@ChaosMaker335]

@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket Oooor, they did ask to come and check it out and wants to see how it is progressing as well making sure it's not invading, if it's invasive. Some departments to take in students who wants to learn and aborist can work for them as well and would be introduced to this and have them learn about it first hand than from book. I'm sure the neighbor did gave them permission and had asked their own neighbors to see if it's fine for them to come into their yard to look at the trees from other angles if possible.

[@marley7659]

If I am aware. Some plants require a certificate to grow. Normally there are ones that apply to gmo’s. Cause technically those are company items and they want to make sure you aren’t making money on their plant variety. If you have certification this shouldn’t be an issue. At least that is how British columbia does things.

[@zacharyamaris]

@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusketthey are probably monitoring for Asian citrus psyllid

[@finsterhund]

For context, the much easier to grow lemon tree is already known as a difficult temperamental nightmare of a fruit tree for pretty much every single reason that the Buddha's hand citron is known for being even more difficult as explained here. Ten years before first harvest though? That's unheard of for citrus. Everything about this tree seemingly was domesticated to make it as difficult as possible jeez. The fruit must smell incredible then. Wish I'd get to see one in person.

[@cleopatraonlyfans]

It does but i describe the smell as identical to a citron or a jewish etrog Im in Australia tho so ours are probably different

[@ferretyluv]

If lemons are so temperamental, why do they just grow in California backyards?

[@finsterhund]

@@ferretyluv probably because it's California. Oranges, another citrus, grow easily there also. Maybe the pest situation is also better? I'm in zone 3 and I have to baby container grown saplings.

[@jesuscruz2068]

first time i saw one was in michigan and it was an incredibly fragrant fruit....i typically love lemon and citrus fruits but this thing just emanated sweet citrusy aromas all the time ive never actually tried it

[@WobblesandBean]

​@@ferretyluv Because CA is uniquely suited to grow them. This is Vietnam, where it's humid af, which citrus trees don't like.

[@lurkingarachnid7475]

$8 is expensive in Vietnam, the daily wage is only $15 to $25 a day

[@mokhtarbenmlouka7761]

The median wage in vietnam is around 275 dollars , so Vietnamese people on average make 9 dollars per day .

[@peace4myheart]

This is the first time I've heard of this fruit. Thank you for increasing my knowledge of the world.

[@500dollarjapanesetoaster8]

There's a guy who makes a fantastic fruit cake with Buddha's hand. Look up "Robert Lambert Marmalades". Sadly, he doesn't have a Buddha hand marmalade, but he has an array of rare citrus ones. Pricey, but for a one of a kind experience it's worth trying.

[@roughroadrunner88]

Same

[@VinhNguyen-wk5qz]

A bit of a correction, at 2:40 Mid-Autumn Festival is Tết Trung Thu or Trung Thu for short. Vietnamese usually refer Tết as the Lunar New Year.

[@oppositeofh8]

i've seen this fruit in markets & always wondered about what must be inside & its uses. thank you for finally answering my questions & teaching me so much more.

[@ConstantChaos1]

For the record I personally find the flesh to be delicious and refreshing, it is just a mild floral citrus taste which I think is pleasant and the texture is rather crisp

[@Dude-etiquette]

This channel is so informative

[@chinchongbingchiling]

When life gave you citrons, u make creepy lemons

[@halativhanamasiagwala4312]

😂

[@babayaga6376]

I was about to say...that doesn't look like Buddha's hand, it looks like Cthulu's beard.

[@kobeleonard148]

When God created it then a polytheist just chooses to send himself to hell.

[@user-iw4iy5wj9k]

😂😂😂😂

[@menta1case182]

Great video! Ba Quyet is a very likeable guy who knows his stuff. I wish him lifetimes of success.

[@Mojo_3.14]

Buddha's Hand make a delicious candied citrus peel, one of the reasons pastry chefs seek it out.

[@LinhNguyen-dn4tj]

The "Tết" festival being talked about in the video is short for "Tết Nguyên Đán", which refers to Lunar New Year Festival, not Mid-Autumn Festival. The word "Tết" alone only means Festival and when used on its own, is colloquially understood in Vietnam as Lunar New Year. Correction would be greatly appreciated :)

[@d.b.2215]

You're correct. The Mid-autumn one would be Tết Trung Thu. But only Tết Nguyên Đán, lunar New year, can be shortened to just Tết

[@LanHoang82]

Yesss, I came to the comment section for this! Glad somebody else has pointed this out

[@sweetcattv]

too late now!

[@huonghuyennguyen4750]

I choose to place this fruit on my altar because it’s long lasting, always look fresh for weeks. Tet is a long holiday and you don’t want your altar to look dull after a couple of days.

[@5_dp637]

I love watching this channel when there is nothing else to do its so chill !

[@mattadams7922]

Yeah this guy has the soul of a tree farmer. That slow steady pace of tree farming life

[@JackPitmanNica]

The flesh on these fruits reminds me of a fruit here, Guayaba. I think its called Guava in english. The guayaba fruit smells incredible, especially when it starts to rot. I like how they smell so much that sometimes I put them in random places in the garden just to rot, its like incense. I imagine that kinda fragrance is similar to the Buddha's hand but I have no idea !

[@paulban889]

Guavas are my favourite fruit, especially the deep yellow ones. I can eat them all day.

[@Youngstomata]

I actually grow this fruit! Something similar I also grow is an etrog citron and has a religious value to the Jews. These citrons are one of the first citrus ancestors

[@allentchang]

According to the Wikipedia: "The question of whether a Buddha's hand is acceptable for use as an etrog on Sukkot was addressed by Rabbi Abdallah Somekh and his disciple, Rabbi Yosef Hayyim, both of Baghdad. The former was inclined to permit, whereas the latter maintained that one may not use a variety of etrog in the absence of a positive tradition of its having been used."

[@RetroBoyAdvance0]

I'm deaf person I was waiting FOR KZbin English captions to be added like others videos BUT NOT THIS ONE? I WAS WAITING FOR A MONTH!!!!

[@justaperson4065]

I love these fruits. Made Buddahs Hand marmalade once. It was amazing!

[@TheReallyRealSunTzu]

you could call it Buddha's Hand-made Marmalade

[@justaperson4065]

@@TheReallyRealSunTzu That's awsome!

[@sdb9884]

I candied the peel of one. It’s flavor is delicate like the smell!

[@ConstantChaos1]

I personally like the flesh of it if you're working with it again I suggest taking a nibble

[@VEN2oo]

Speaking of tet, my great grandmother survived the 1968 tet offensive, she had gernade shrapnel in her body until the day she died

[@nopenohandleforme]

These fruits are great for making Citron candy 🍬 absolutely delicious

[@ddbabybella58]

Excellent video,love it👍🏼

[@CrowSkeleton]

I appreciate this farmer's dedication, incredible skill and the time taken to educate us, and despite the temptation of its fascinating shape will now definitely never buy a fruit that needs two orchards to be cut out of the countryside every few years because it/the chemicals used on it does something so bad to the soil it can't sustain a tree longer than that. Gods, you can't even eat the things.

[@WobblesandBean]

Yeah, that really made me mad. Destroying the earth just for a fruit you can't eat? Not worth it!

[@anupama2620]

There is a comment saying it can be made into marmalade.

[@aramdeara1]

Don't eat meat anymore then either, thanks

[@DangerNoodlez]

That's not Buddha's hand, it's a cthulemon!

[@bikedawg]

whatever it is, if you cut off all but the middle finger, it will turn into Satan's Sign from Buddha's Hand.

[@b.o.4469]

No it's Buddha's hand

[@SilverAsura]

Y’all, pretty sure it’s a joke🤦🏻‍♂️. Stop being snowflakes on the internet.

[@fireborn]

The Great Old Fruit!

[@pivpo]

It must be monster's hand. No human being can have this kind of hand.

[@havingalook2]

Very, very interesting. I learned a great deal. Thank you.

[@Deathscythe91]

1:14 you answered both those questions with the intro lol XD

[@TheEfX]

Thanks for such a good video of Vietnamese tradition and it fruit ❤❤❤

[@andrewtestin9080]

I love the knowledge of these farmers

[@nancytestani1470]

Never seen this, sounds amazing just for the fragrance..

[@pepedeltoro6647]

We had this fruit in my store(EU), i was wondering why it was so expensive 😂

[@germainwilson800]

I noticed a lot of farmers using that white powder to kill bugs. Best powder ever in my opinion. Can be used anywhere even in homes

[@beverlylumley4150]

Wonderful interesting video, thank you

[@Dude-etiquette]

First time I’ve heard about this. Really fascinating. I’m curious about the smell. I can see posts on this video about how lovely it is. Thank you the video. Love your videos.

[@fannyalbi9040]

sweet citrus smell. very refreshing

[@hwoonDeurim]

when clicking on the video i didnt know it was viet related- as soon as they mentioned i got happy and finished the video~~

[@the638]

This is probably one of the best smelling things in the world

[@elr5475]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Well done.

[@jordankapeliela]

I grow these. They are awesome.

[@kinpatsu6366]

I think that if someone made a liquor from this, it would sell very well.

[@vysakkv6664]

I am ready for that. Where are you from?

[@dock2647]

The issues would be sugar content and amount needed, better to juice flavor a different liquor with the sliced fruit

[@bachvandals3259]

​@@dock2647there is no sugar in the citron... It would be some lemon zest on steroids

[@28-hailong41]

This fruit is used only for decorating not for refreshments, when vietnamese people finish their workship, they usually throw it to the bin

[@Bobololo]

Hangar One has a Buddha Hand vodka. Could make youself a 'buddhacello' with it if you find it locally.

[@veenakatoriya9010]

Such a unique fruit to see for first time n heard for first time details regarding it 👍

[@latakhatri2906]

It's like guava...nice sharing

[@janerobinson5944]

Beautiful fruit and lots of hard work😮❤

[@ilangilang7185]

Mid Autumn is not Tet, Tet is the Lunar New Year (or known by the US as Chinese New Year). Please fix this information. Mid Autumn means Tết Trung thu, which also has "Tet" but if you only say "Tet", in Vietnamese culture it means Lunar New Year (Tết).

[@Asianpands]

Insider, I'm a bit disappointed that the editors and directors did not catch the obvious mistake of calling the Mid-Autumn Festival " Tết ". Tết for us is what the western world calls the Lunisolar New Year aka Lunar New Year. Mid Autumn Festival is called "Tết Trung Thu" aka Trung Thu. To decipher from the both, it is common in Vietnamese language to call New Year Tết and Mid Autumn festival Trung thu. It is a big mistake due to the improper use of the word which is something I did not expect from Insider. I hope for future references that Insider does due diligence on researching the things they need to translate in the proper text of that country/civilization before publishing it to the community. Now I'm wondering since the guy says Tết, I want to think that he is referring to the New Year, which is also time to celebrate and honor the new crops and harvests of the year at the coming of spring. Hopefully you guys can fix this. If not, please pay more attention next time!

[@VEN2oo]

Wow $170 that is a lot of money especially in countries like vietnam

[@TheRio02]

So interesting

[@slalomie]

Since there’s very little pulp only the rind and zest is used then? I remember finally finding fresh yuzu in the US. There’s not much pulp and the juice is similar to Meyer lemon but the aroma of the zest is special. It’s like a mix of lemon & grapefruit with a hint of creaminess to it.

[@ConstantChaos1]

Personally I like the flesh too, it has a mild floral citrus flavour and a pleasantly crisp texture, it's definitely on the mild side but in a like pleasant way, just don't expect it to knock your socks off lol

[@terryt9833]

Mostly the rind is used but it is also pickled or candied in chunks like ginger. It makes a good garnish or condiment

[@ConstantChaos1]

@terryt9833 if you aren't fodmap sensitive it can be eaten as is and is delicious But if like cabbage makes your stomach hurt then dont eat it raw

[@kws1957]

Thank you for sharing. May the Lord bless and keep you.

[@yusufhidayat3149]

when i watch the So Expensive series i get enlightened, this series help me explain how much resource and effort got wasted by human to produce less functional things, thank you Insider

[@Orangetong]

Budda has some weird ass hands

[@lovemoviesful2]

Wow, did not know about this fruit, looks interesting lol.

[@film9491]

I bought one of these once at a corner store in Boston MA like $0.20 🤷‍♀️

[@russ6541]

that seems pretty divine. take good care of what you sow and you will receive something worth tenfold

[@pattimiller9157]

Fascinating

[@johnappiah3380]

Woow am Ghanaian is my first time seeing this nice.

[@askhowiknow5527]

Buddha’s Hand Gin is probably pretty darn good

[@BLAQFiniks]

Dear Business Insider, please, *make the volume of your videos louder* (I've watched your vids on and off for several years and the sound has always been extremely poor 😕) - I have to turn on my sound controller almost to the brim to hear properly (and I don't have hearing disability), especially when the narrator talks, so if I neglect to lower it before playing another (not your) vid the sound always blasts and gives me a scare~ 😅

[@loudandclear3308]

I see these in the store all the time.

[@nagpurivideodhamak4129]

Well done

[@djeechizzy9818]

Every family have that one person whom will break their financial burden, hope you are the person. Spend less, invest more💰💰 May Allah protect us all 😊

[@funkblack]

I'm no expert, but if the roots are sensitive, why not graft into a better rootstock?

[@jekku4688]

Never realized a fruit could be so picky picky picky!

[@ConstantChaos1]

I actually like the taste of the flesh. it's crisp and mild, it goes great in salads or as a light snack

[@VinodKumar-bt9we]

Very good ❤❤

[@alexandernguyen5162]

I must say that the translation is pretty accurate although some nuance is lost in there translation I would say 9/10

[@AdjeiOke]

I love dis fruit a lot

[@kingjames4886]

wtf is this guy talking about if you damage a tree you have to move to a new farm?! they're citrus trees, you can graft them.

[@anastasiaamoah143]

Nice

[@adim00lah]

He should take the ones that have been bitten up by aphids, and make an essential oil out of it, and sell it.

[@kainghe1182]

In my country they sell it on the street, bicycling around 😂

[@MrTechnoTaco]

11:34 Go Phils !!

[@vsznry]

That looks like a narly pepper.

[@kushalgoyal2424]

nyc ❤

[@sharonhill2602]

This was very hard to comprehend when said he has to replant the trees every year. But the trees are delicate.

[@WobblesandBean]

They have to replant them because the fertilizer and pesticide they use kills the soil. They have to move operations every year and destroy even more of the dwindling natural forest.

[@user-rx4wm6om4m]

Can you guys do a video on a company called abf freight

[@OddWomanOut_Pi81]

Saw this citrus for the first time in WF a couple of years ago...😯😯😯

[@Ichabod_Jericho]

“It’s this expensive because people will keep paying the price😂”

[@fannyalbi9040]

how nice and the most important

[@M3GAprincess]

I've seen these at the grocery (not as big, much smaller). Seems like a ripoff because it's rare.

[@Eleora1997Msia]

Life given you sour to bitter but this fingered-lemon give you helping hand to aid your health.

[@OppaiAI]

Would love to see an episode on Heroin from Afghanistan in the same presentation style.

[@reginabrew5202]

Good 🎉

[@nadnadraneses-it6yd]

This fruit can use as one of perfumes ingredients.

[@HuongPham-wq4zp]

Việt Nam đất nước tôi 🥰🥰🥰

[@ambition112]

0:26: 🌳 The video discusses the challenges and economics of growing and selling high-quality fruit trees. 0:42: Perfecting the fruit is difficult due to sensitive roots, leading to potential losses. 1:43: The speaker currently has two orchards with over 600 trees and is harvesting this year. 5:14: ! The speaker discusses the process of harvesting a specific tree and emphasizes the importance of cutting the fruit gradually to prevent damage and ensure proper packaging and transportation. 5:54: Proper packaging and timely transportation are crucial to prevent spoilage. 10:13: 🍐 The video discusses the characteristics and care of a specific type of fruit. 11:11: The fruit is prone to damage and should be wrapped in soft paper to prevent it from turning black. Recap by Tammy AI

[@sapandream]

Thanks for the info about tammy AI

[@mhobylopez9647]

❤❤❤

[@Wood_969]

How does it? Taste

[@Deamos33]

Go to the store buy a lemon peel off a big piece of just the rind, eat it and that is what this "Citrus" taste like and the uses are the same, Just more of it

[@newzealander6232]

Why the white subtitles? It's different to read & makes no sense when there are better colors

[@podfestt]

It looks nutritious

[@lzl4226]

A few years ago I saw some of those in a fruit shop and decided to buy one to try out, I got home, cut it open and was like...... wtf

[@kincamell]

Heavy.

[@drissaudia1323]

I’ve seen these and touched them. I still don’t know what they taste like or how people eat them? I get the Vietnamese use it as an offering for Tet, but how do you eat it? What can you cook with it that was lacking in the doco. 10 years for this fruit to grow, omg! What do people do in those ten years to earn money, unless he is growing heaps of them.

[@animagflip]

Does this citron keep mosquitoes away?

[@flowerblue196]

It a tree that reminds you not to get to greedily

[@ziyanfam8320]

Maybe Diaphorina citri 10:44

[@MrPhanhphanh]

Tết is Vietnamese Lunar New year!

[@lilyhsu9223]

I have a Buddha’s hand citron tree for 3 years. It hasn’t fruited yet….

[@WobblesandBean]

It takes 10 for it to fruit.

[@ganniwang8599]

next content idea : Why everything in the US is so expensive

[@somerandomfella]

Not sure why they call it Buddha's Hand. It barely looks like a hand 🤷‍♂️

[@smiter1945]

Looks like Buddha spent some time in Chernobyl.