Lemons
Estimated Inventory, 140 ct : 32.70
This item was last sold on : 11/19/24
Description/Taste
Lemons are small to medium fruits, averaging 5 to 12 centimeters in length, and have an ovate to oblong shape with pointed, curved ends. The rind, also known as the peel, is generally pale to bright yellow and bears many small, fragrant oil glands, creating a textured and glossy, finely pitted surface. Underneath the rind, there is a semi-thin, white pith with a spongy, cotton-like consistency, encasing 8 to 11 segments of soft, tender flesh. The pale-yellow flesh is comprised of translucent sacs filled with juice and pulp, and some Lemon varieties contain a few seeds, while other cultivars are found seedless. Lemons will vary in texture and flavor, depending on the variety, but the fruits are known for their complex, bright, and acidic flavors with floral, sweet-tart, and tangy undertones.
Seasons/Availability
Lemons are available year-round.
Current Facts
Lemons are ancient, aromatic fruits that grow on evergreen trees reaching between 3 to 10 meters in height, belonging to the Rutaceae family. The name Lemon is a descriptor used to encompass many different varieties of flowering plants with fruits, and true Lemons, or Lemons that are primarily found in modern-day markets, are botanically classified as Citrus limon. Lemons are among the most common types of citrus commercially produced and grown in home gardens worldwide, highly favored for their acidic, sour flavoring and sweet, aromatic scent. The fruits are not typically consumed as fresh-eating citrus, but the oils, juice, and rind have been traditionally incorporated into culinary, medicinal, and household applications for thousands of years. Within the Citrus limon species, Eureka and Lisbon Lemons are the two main varieties grown for commercial use in North America. These cultivars are sold and utilized interchangeably year-round in grocery stores under the general Lemon name.
Nutritional Value
Lemons are an excellent source of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, boost collagen production within the skin, and reduce inflammation. The fruits are also a good source of potassium, copper, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, and iron. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Lemons have been used in traditional medicines as a natural diuretic, bleaching agent, and as a protective medicine against some infections and diseases such as scurvy.
Applications
Lemons are versatile fruits utilized as a flavoring in both raw and cooked, sweet and savory applications. The fruits can be sliced and used as an edible garnish with roasted meats, tacos, or wedged on the side of beverages, and the slices can be squeezed as a finishing element. Lemons can also be juiced and used to cut through rich flavors in salad dressings, dips, marinades, and sauces, or it can be used to brighten soups, whipped cream, and rich, cheesy pasta dishes. Beyond savory preparations, Lemons are used as a flavoring for baked goods, including pies, cakes, muffins, and tarts, or the juice is mixed into puddings, icings, sherbet, bars, marmalades, and curds. It is important to note that Lemon juice can be found in many forms, utilized fresh, thawed from frozen, or blended with other ingredients from concentrate and cans. In addition to the juice, the peel can be zested for cookies, salads, grain bowls, or meats, or it can be sliced and candied as a sweet dessert. Lemon zest and juice are also used to accent cocktails, lemonades, sparkling waters, and other beverages. In African and Middle Eastern countries, Lemons are preserved in salt and are eaten as a sweet and sour condiment. Lemons pair well with aromatics such as garlic, onions, and capers, cheeses such as parmesan, mozzarella, and gruyere, potatoes, other fruits such as nectarines, peaches, and pears, herbs such as parsley, mint, rosemary, and thyme, vanilla, and meats such poultry, turkey, and fish. Whole, unwashed Lemons will keep for a couple of days at room temperature and 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Freshly squeezed juice will also last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. When frozen, the juice will keep for 3 months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Menton, France, the Fete du Citron, also known as the Menton Lemon Festival, showcases Lemons in giant parade floats and garden art pieces. The annual celebration was created in 1928 as a private event to attract the wealthy winter residents of the French Riviera to the city of Menton. At the time, Menton was the primary producer of Lemons in Europe, and the festival combined citrus, sightseeing, and food with the theatrical elements of carnival to create a unique, celebratory winter event. The festival quickly gained notoriety after the first few years, and eventually, it expanded into a public event, now lasting for almost the entire month of February. In the modern-day, the Fete du Citron is the second largest winter celebration on the French Riviera, attracting over 240,000 attendees. The festival features a large parade with floats decorated with citrus, all centered around a yearly theme, and there is also a garden filled with elaborate sculptures made from Lemons and other citrus varieties. Over 140 tonnes of citrus are used to decorate the floats and sculptures, and at the end of the festival, the fruits are sold at low prices to visitors. In addition to attracting tourists, the Fete du Citron is also used to encourage visitors to explore the city of Menton, as the sweet and aromatic scent of citrus wafts through the historical streets, creating a nostalgic, whimsical atmosphere.
Geography/History
Lemons are descendants of wild species native to a region spanning across Northeastern India, Northern Myanmar, to Western Yunnan in Asia. In ancient times as the world’s climate began to change, the wild fruits were spread into the rest of Asia and Southeast Asia, where humans bred them for thousands of years. Lemons were introduced to Egypt sometime before 700 CE and to the Mediterranean around 1000 CE. The hybrid fruits were brought to the New World through Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries, and Lemons were officially grown in California and Florida in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today Lemons are cultivated in mild and warm, tropical to subtropical climates worldwide and are valued for both commercial and home garden use.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Savory Moment (1) | El Cajon CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
| Nishiki Ramen (Hillcrest) | San Diego CA | 619-764-5416 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Distribution Center) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Herb & Wood Bar | San Diego CA | 619-955-8495 |
| Moniker Coffee Company (Bar) | San Diego CA | 916-945-6721 |
| insideOUT (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-793-9221 |
| Drift Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-263-4298 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Paradisaea Bar | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Redwing Bar & Grill | San Diego CA | 619-281-8700 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Hawaiian Fresh Seafood | San Diego CA | 858-299-8862 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Juniper & Ivy Bar | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| USS Midway Museum | San Diego CA | 619-544-9600 |
| Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| AC Hotel by Marriott SD | San Diego CA | 248-703-3310 |
| Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
| Oliver & Rose | San Diego CA | 619-300-3395 |
| Regency Twin Oaks | San Marcos CA | 909-325-6941 |
| Carte Hotel (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Whiskey Girl | San Diego CA | 619-236-1616 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Turf Supper Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-6363 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Louisiana Purchase | San Diego CA | 619-255-8278 |
| Hazel & Jade Bakery | San Diego CA | 804-815-8052 |
| Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| Bica | San Diego CA | 619-669-5725 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Menya Ultra (Mira Mesa) | San Diego CA | 619-889-4566 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Vista) | Vista CA | 858-886-9909 |
| College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Rabbit Hole | San Diego CA | 619-255-4653 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Merenda | Oceanside CA | 703-459-4145 |
| Polite Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-677-3784 |
| Mackenzie Elizabeth Personal Chef Services | Poway CA | 858-357-3455 |
| Richard Walkers Pancake House (Carls.) | Carlsbad CA | 619-306-2999 |
| Menya Ultra (Clairemont) | San Diego CA | 858-333-0256 |
| College Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Miho (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Tap Room Beer Co. (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
| Understory | San Diego CA | 516-507-0101 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
| Del Road Food Hall Bar | San Diego CA | 619-269-7187 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Olala Crepes Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 551-241-8642 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Harumama Noodles & Buns (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5737 |
| Wormwood (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Gilly's House of Cocktails | San Diego CA | 415-707-9219 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Fish & Things Poke Bar | San Diego CA | 916-995-1555 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing Bar | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Nishiki Ramen - Mira Mesa | San Diego CA | 808-561-1090 |
| La Dona (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Botanica (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Employee Dining) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Nadolife Production | San Diego CA | 619-239-1224 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant 2024 | Oceanside CA | 760-279-6300 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas (Bar) | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| Comedor Nishi | La Jolla CA | 619-549-9919 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| 619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 509-701-9534 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
| Chef Lance Roll | Vista CA | 760-685-2433 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Lemons. One
is easiest, three is harder.
