generally, it is eaten preserved or in bakery goods, such as fruitcakes. (the candied peel rather than the fruit is often used in cooking.) in some cultures, it is made into a fruity tea. pliny the elder states that in his time , the citron could only be grown in media and persia ("hn" xii.7). the romans tried to transport it into the roman empire in tightly packed pots, but failed, according to pliny. there is evidence, however, which shows it was cultivated in the mediterranean during pliny's lifetime. zohary and hopf believe this tree was first domesticated in india. they think that its wild forms, along with those of the mandarin and pomelo, were the original citrus species.