Lemon Snack
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Lemon Snack is a small varietal, averaging 5 to 7 centimeters in length and 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter, and has a slender, elongated tear-drop shape. The fruits generally have one broad and bluntly curved end, tapering to a slim and slightly pointed stem tip. The peel is glossy, smooth, and covered in sunken oil glands, giving it a lightly pebbled, bumpy texture. The surface also showcases light to golden yellow hues. Lemon Snack is distinguished by its thin but crunchy peel and almost nonexistent white pith. Underneath the surface, the pale-yellow flesh is crisp, tender, and aqueous, divided into 6 to 8 sections by thin membranes. The flesh also envelops a few cream-colored seeds that should be discarded during consumption. Lemon Snack releases a faint aroma when opened, and it is edible raw once ripe. The fruits have a refreshing, bright, sweet, and sour taste with fruity and floral nuances. The variety is low in acidity, but some fruits may have more of a zesty nature than others, depending on maturity and seasonal growing conditions. Consuming a portion of the peel in each bite is recommended as the peel is the sweetest part of the fruit to help balance the zingy nature of the flesh.
Seasons/Availability
Lemon Snack is available in the winter through early spring, typically between December and March.
Current Facts
Lemon Snack, botanically classified as Citrus x floridana, is a specialty hybrid fruit belonging to the Rutaceae or citrus family. The name Lemon Snack is a commercial brand for a type of limequat grown in Italy and distributed throughout select European markets. Lemon Snack is known for its ability to be consumed whole, including the peel. The variety is promoted for its aroma, concentrated flavor, small size, and easy, ready-to-eat nature. The fruits are also valued for their high juice content, sometimes containing as much liquid as half of a standard lemon. It is important to note that Lemon Snack fruit peels are not treated post-harvest like other commercial citrus, ensuring the peel is natural and edible. The variety is also sold in sustainable packaging to strengthen consumer appeal. Lemon Snack is currently grown in small quantities and only offered during a short season, limiting availability in commercial markets. Despite their low production, the variety is increasing in demand, and plans have been made for market expansion.
Nutritional Value
Lemon Snack has not been extensively studied for its nutritional properties. Like other limequats, the variety may be a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. Limequat varieties also provide magnesium to control nerve functions, calcium and phosphorus to protect bones and teeth, and antioxidants to guard the cells in the body against the damage caused by free radicals. Lemon Snack notably contains limonene, a compound commonly found in the peel with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties to help the body fight against disease and aging.
Applications
Lemon Snack has a bright, refreshing, sweet, and sour taste suited as a garnish and flavor enhancement in culinary dishes. The versatile fruits can be used in any recipe calling for lemons and are frequently squeezed into dressings, sauces, and marinades. Lemon Snack is also sliced into thin pieces, removing the seeds, and added to green salads, fruit medleys, and as a topping over fish dishes like sushi. The juice contributes floral and fruity nuances when squeezed as a finishing element over schnitzel, grilled octopus, or pasta. Try biting into the whole fruit to experience a combination of the sweet peel with the sour flesh. Lemon Snack can also be sprinkled with salt, sugar, and spices for enhanced flavoring. In Italy, Lemon Snack is occasionally used in a variation of carpaccio using thin slices with fresh herbs or zested over dishes for aroma and flavoring. In Northern European countries, the fruits are sometimes coated in a layer of hard sugar as a crunchy snack, used as a garnish for desserts, or incorporated as flavoring in various baked goods like muffins, cakes, and bars. Lemon Snack fruits can also be simmered into jams and other preserves. Beyond culinary preparations, Lemon Snack is often used as a garnish or juice in tequila, vodka, or gin-based cocktails. They are also infused into water and other beverages for a pop of flavor. Lemon Snack pairs well with other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pears, and peaches, herbs including thyme, mint, and rosemary, and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, chili powder, and anise. Whole, unopened Lemon Snack fruits can be stored at room temperature for a few days or placed in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for 1 to 2 weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The initial widespread fame of Lemon Snack is attributed to its appearance across social media platforms. The small fruits were featured in several TikTok videos by well-known influencers in Sweden and Germany in 2022, sparking a viral trend of eating raw lemons. In the videos, Lemon Snack fruits were being eaten out of hand by these influencers, and later videos showed slices of the fruits being sprinkled in a mixture of sugar or salt, honey, and chili powder. Several of these TikTok videos attracted over 2 and 9 million views, leading viewers to inquire about Lemon Snack and where they could find these in markets. The trending Lemon Snack fruits also led some viewers to think the influencers were eating regular lemons, resulting in videos of participants trying to recreate the viral “lemon craze” with common, acidic varieties. This trend contributed to the growth in demand for Lemon Snack fruits, especially in Northern Europe, and is still frequently mentioned in the press surrounding the hybrid citrus.
Geography/History
Lemon Snack has origins in Italy and was developed in the early 21st century. Citrus trees were grafted in 2016 near the town of Policoro in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy, an area with ideal growing conditions. Lemon Snack is a type of limequat, a hybrid citrus created from a cross between a lime and kumquat. The variety was produced from a collaboration between Di Pilato Giovanni & Figli of Milan and OP Ancona and was first commercially available in markets in Milan, Italy, in March of 2019. Since its creation, Lemon Snack has been sold throughout Italy and was later sent to markets in Northern Europe, where it was well-received and quickly rose in popularity in the early 2020s. Today, Lemon Snack is a seasonal citrus still only grown in Italy and exported to European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. The Lemon Snack fruits featured in the photograph above were sourced through Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany.
