Kítron

The citron (citrus medica), planted on Náxos in the 17th century, thrived. The fruit and its zest were use it to make spoon sweets and candies, and, since 1896, a liqueur distilled in the autumn. It comes in four versions: 'White special' at 45 proof, 'White super special' at 50 proof; 'Green special' at 45 proof and 'Super yellow special' at 50 proof.

Although quite common in the 1980s, Kítron not as popular as it once was, and fewer farmers are replanting their trees as they die off, although this is starting to change as people have begun using it in cocktails.

Citrons (which are larger than lemons, with a much thicker peel and a slightly different taste) were one of the original citrus fruits: going back to ancient Egypt and the Book of Leviticus, it is the mother of lemons, oranges and all the rest.

You can visit the Vallindras Kitron Distillery and museum in Chalkí, +30 2285 031220