Lemon

The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a species of small evergreen tree in the Citrus genus of the flowering plant family Rutaceae. A true lemon is a hybrid of the citron and the bitter orange. It likely began growing during the 1st millennium BC in what is now northeastern India.

We use the yellow lemon fruit all over the world mainly for its juice. People also use the pulp and rind in cooking and baking. Lemon juice contains about 5–6% citric acid, which gives it a sour taste. This sourness makes lemons very important for many drinks and foods, like lemonade and lemon meringue pie.

In 2024, people grew lemons on farms around the world, making 23 million tonnes. India and Mexico grew the most lemons, making up 31% of all the lemons grown.

Description

The lemon tree grows a yellow fruit that is oval and pointed. This fruit is a special kind of berry called a hesperidium, with a thick, tough skin. The skin has a colorful outer layer, called zest, that smells nice because it has special oils, and a white, spongy layer inside.

Inside the lemon are many small parts called carpels, where the seeds grow. Each carpel has a space filled with juicy vesicles. Lemons have many helpful plant chemicals, like polyphenols and citric acid. Lemon juice has more citric acid than lime juice, and much more than grapefruit or orange juice.

Origins

See also: Citrus taxonomy

The lemon is a special mix, or hybrid, of two other fruits: the citron and the bitter orange.

Lemons were likely first grown in northwest India. The word "lemon" has an interesting history, coming from old languages like Arabic and Persian. Lemons reached Europe near southern Italy during the time of Ancient Rome. They spread to places like Persia, Iraq, and Egypt over the next few centuries. By the 10th century, lemons were being used in gardens and farms, especially in the Arab world and around the Mediterranean. In the 15th century, lemons began to be grown more in Europe, starting in Genoa. They were brought to the Americas in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. Later, lemons became popular in places like Florida and California. In the 1700s, lemon juice was found to help sailors stay healthy on long trips.

Cultivation

Lemons grow best in warm places and need a minimum temperature of about 7 °C (45 °F). They are not able to survive all year in cooler climates, but they become stronger as they grow older. Lemon trees need only a little trimming to remove crowded branches, and the tallest branch should be cut to help the tree grow bushier. During summer, pinching back the tips of the strongest growth helps the tree develop more leaves and branches.

In 2024, the world produced about 23 million tonnes of lemons and limes, with India and Mexico leading in production. Different types of lemons exist, such as the 'Bonnie Brae' lemon, which is smooth, thin-skinned, and seedless, mostly grown in San Diego County, California. The 'Eureka' lemon grows all year and is the most common lemon found in supermarkets; it was developed in California in the 19th century. There is also a pink-fleshed Eureka lemon with green and yellow variegated outer skin. The Lisbon lemon, another common supermarket lemon, is smoother, has thinner skin, and produces more juice than the Eureka lemon. The 'Femminello St. Teresa', or 'Sorrento' lemon, comes from Italy and is used to make limoncello.

Uses

Lemons are very useful in many ways. Without the peel, a lemon is mostly water and has a bit of carbohydrates, protein, and very little fat. It also has vitamin C, which is good for you.

We use lemon juice and the skin in many foods and drinks. The juice tastes sour because it has citric acid. People make marmalade, lemon curd, and special drinks like Limoncello from lemons. Lemon slices and skin are often used to add flavor to dishes. Lemon zest, the grated outer skin, is great for adding flavor to baked goods. Lemonade and some fun cocktails are made with lemon juice too.

Lemons are also used in other ways. They were once the main way to get citric acid before other methods were invented. Lemon oil is used in aromatherapy to help people relax. You can even do a cool science experiment by turning a lemon into a tiny battery! Lemon juice can also be used as invisible ink that shows up when heated, and it can help lighten blonde hair when exposed to the sun.

Other citrus called 'lemons'

There are many fruits that people call "lemons," but they are not the same as true lemons. Some of these include the Flat lemon, which is a special kind of mandarin. The Meyer lemon is a mix between a citron and a mandarin/pomelo. The Ponderosa lemon is very large and has thick skin. The Rough lemon is strong against cold and often used to help grow other citrus plants, called a citrus rootstock. Sweet lemons or sweet limes include types like the lumia, limetta, and Palestinian sweet lime. Finally, the Volkamer lemon is another mix between a citron and a mandarin.

In art and culture

Lemons have appeared in many artworks and stories throughout history. Ancient Egyptian paintings, like one in the tomb of Nakht from the 15th century BC, show people holding lemons. Famous artists such as Giovanna Garzoni in the 1600s and Édouard Manet in the 1800s also painted lemons. More recently, in the 1930s, Arshile Gorky created a painting called Still Life with Lemons.

In India, lemons are used in special traditions. For example, some people believe that circling a lemon around someone can keep away bad energy. When someone buys a new car, some Hindu people crush four lemons under each wheel for good luck. Lemons are also shown in pictures of Hindu gods to represent wealth and plenty. In modern times, people sometimes say "If you have a lemon, make lemonade," which means to do the best with what you have, as advised by Dale Carnegie. Today, when something isn’t working well, like a car, people might call it a "lemon."