Lemon

Whole and sliced lemon showing rind and juicy pulp

Citrus limon, known as পাতিলেবু in Bengali

Lemon with white background highlighting texture and color

Lemons growing on a tree in Coín, Spain

Mature lemon tree in Santa Clara, California

Commercial lemon-based soft drink (Japan)

Traditional lemon pickle

Lemon slices in preparation

Lemon (Citrus limon), pronounced LEH-mun, is a small, bright yellow citrus fruit known for its acidic juice and fragrant rind. It is valued for its high content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and citric acid, which gives it a distinct sour taste.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific name: Citrus limon
• Family: Rutaceae
• Genus: Citrus
• Species: limon

Description

Lemons are small, oval citrus fruits with a thick, textured rind and juicy pulp divided into segments. The juice, rind (zest), and even the leaves are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Lemons are hybrids, believed to have evolved from a cross between citron (Citrus medica) and bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium).

History

• Lemons are thought to have originated in northeastern India, northern Myanmar, or China over 2,500 years ago.
• Introduced to the Mediterranean region via Arab traders by the 10th century CE.
• Brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
• Widely cultivated today in countries including the United States (especially California and Florida), Spain, Italy, Mexico, and Argentina.

Cultivation

Lemon trees are small evergreen trees that thrive in subtropical and tropical climates.

• Require full sunlight and well-drained soil
• Sensitive to frost; best grown in warm, coastal or inland regions
• Begin fruiting within 3–5 years of planting
• Propagated through seeds, cuttings, or grafting

Popular Varieties:

• Eureka lemon: Thick-skinned, high juice content, widely cultivated commercially
• Lisbon lemon: Similar to Eureka, more cold-tolerant
• Meyer lemon: Sweeter, thin-skinned hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange

Nutritional Content

Lemons are:

• Low in calories
• Rich in vitamin C (one lemon provides ~50% of the daily recommended intake)
• Contain:
  • Potassium
  • Vitamin B6
  • Folate
• The peel contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties

Culinary Uses

Thin slice of lemon, often used as a garnish

Lemons are widely used in international cuisines for their juice, zest, and preserved forms.

• Lemon juice: Used in marinades, dressings, drinks, and to enhance flavor
• Lemon zest: Grated outer rind used in baking and cooking
• Preserved lemons: Whole lemons fermented in salt and juice, used in Middle Eastern cuisine
• Candied lemon peel: A sweet treat or garnish
• Beverages: Base ingredient in lemonade, iced tea, and cocktails

Health Benefits

Lemons are often associated with a variety of potential health benefits:

• **Immune support:** Due to high vitamin C content
• **Antioxidant properties:** May reduce oxidative stress
• **Kidney stone prevention:** Citric acid increases urinary citrate levels
• **Digestive aid:** Anecdotally used in lemon water to stimulate digestion

Lemon Juice

• Composed of ~5% to 6% citric acid
• Has a pH around 2.2, making it highly acidic
• Used to enhance flavor, tenderize meats, and preserve foods

Medicinal Uses

• Used historically to prevent scurvy in sailors (vitamin C deficiency)
• Included in some traditional remedies for sore throat and digestion
• Lemon oil (from peel) is used in aromatherapy

Cultural and Artistic Significance

Lemons appear in art, literature, and cuisine throughout history:

• Featured in still-life paintings symbolizing freshness or wealth
• Frequently used in religious and festive dishes
• Represented in Greco-Roman and Renaissance art

Products Derived from Lemon

• Lemonade
• Limoncello – a traditional Italian lemon liqueur
• Lemon pickle – popular condiment in South Asian cuisine
• Lemon meringue pie, lemon chicken, lemon tart, and more

Gallery

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  Diagram showing hybrid origins of citrus fruits, including lemon

• 

  Botanical illustration of Citrus limon

• 

  Sushi garnished with lemon slices

• 

  Oysters with lemon wedges and parsley

• 

  Chinese-style lemon chicken

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  Lemon meringue tart dessert

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  Fresh lemonade served with lemon slices

• 

  Homemade Italian limoncello

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  Ancient Egyptian fresco featuring citrus-like fruit (interpretative)

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  Still-life painting featuring lemons

• 

  Baroque still-life with citron and lemon

See Also

• Citrus
• Vitamin C
• Lemonade
• Limoncello
• Lemon meringue pie
• Lemon juice
• Aromatherapy
• Scurvy
• Citrus taxonomy