Hobbies And Interests
History
The exact origin of lemons is up for debate, but it's widely believed that the fruit was first cultivated in India and China. The tree was used ornamentally in the Islamic world around 900 A.D., and distributed around the Mediterranean shortly thereafter. Lemon cultivation began in America around the 18th century, first in California and then in Florida.
Basics
Lemon trees grow to about 20 feet high. The fruit is roughly the size of a baseball and oblong in shape. Lemons have a distinctive bright yellow exterior when ripe but are green when immature, while the pulp inside is typically pale yellow. They contain approximately five to eight percent citric acid, giving them a pH between two and three.
Types
Eureka lemons, the most common type, are also referred to as supermarket lemons because most found in grocery stores are of this hardy variety and grow year-round. Lisbon lemon trees are very thorny and produce a much more bitter fruit with higher acid content and more juice. Meyer lemons, a cross between lemons and mandarins, are less acidic and less sour than Eurekas and Lisbons. Other types include Ponderosa lemons, which have thicker skins than many varieties, and Variegated Pinks, which have pink flesh.
Uses
Lemons are used to enhance the flavor of a variety of foods. Lemon juice can add a sour kick to deserts and meats, or be made into lemonade. Shreds of the lemon's exterior skin, called zest, are often added to baked goods to enhance flavors. In the home, lemon juice may be used as a deodorizer and disinfectant.