Lemon

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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[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Cultivation[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Lemons are:

Culinary Uses[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

  • 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[edit | edit source]

  • 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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]


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