About the Meyer Lemon

The Meyer lemon, also known as Citrus × meyeri, is a hybrid citrus fruit that's native to China. The lemon is distinct from generic oranges as its a hybrid or cross between a citron and either a madarin or pomelo citrus fruits. Unlike a true lemon, the Meyer lemon is a rounder fruit with a deep orange color and slight orange tint during the ripe phase, with a sweeter flavor that's less acidic.

About the Meyer Lemon

When talking about regular lemons, people often refer to Eureka or Lisbon lemons, some of the more common varieties available today. What makes a Meyer lemon so special? Meyer lemons were first introduced to the United States from China in the early 20th century. By the mid-1940s, the lemon had become well-known in California and also grown in the regions of Florida and Texas. The tree became a favorite local tree for the backyard. However, the majority of cloned Meyer lemon trees at the time carried the Citrus tristeza virus, a video that killed millions of citrus trees globally and affect many others that were to be used for citrus fruit production.

New Trees Discovered

Fortunately, a virus-free selection of Meyer lemon trees were discovered in the 1950s, and certified and released by the University of California as the "Improved Meyer lemon" or Citrus × meyeri 'Improved'. Now, these trees grow some of the most popular lemons around. The popularity soared as the lemon started being features in more recipes.

Features of the Lemon

Appearance-wise, Meyer lemons are smaller and more round than regular, common lemons. They possess smooth deep yellow to orange skin and a dark yellow pulp. The soft, thin skin makes cooking with Meyer lemons very appealing. In regards to taste, the lemons are less tangy than regular lemons, but much sweeter. They're great lemons to add sweetness to dishes such as desserts like lemon bars and cakes. The fragrance is herb or spice-like and smells great, with the blooms putting off a delightful sweet citrus smell. December through May is the season for Meyer lemons. The Meyer lemon is a must-have cultivar to grow indoors as a decorative houseplant, or outdoors, providing easy and efficient care. Similar to regular lemons, you can also use Meyer lemons for lemonade, juicing for cocktails, spritzers, or vinaigrette. The pulp or zest can be used for a variety of flavorful dishes as well. The lemon is beloeed by chefs and home cooks, and often found at farmers markets.

Lemon Benefits

Choose a Meyer lemon to boost your immune system! This citrus fruit is filled with healthy minerals and antioxidants that support the health of your skin, eyes, immune system and more. These lemons are packed with vitamin C, offering a juicy and nutritional snack. Meyer lemons also include fiber and vital minerals for a healthy diet such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Finding Meyer Lemons

While there's many great ways to use Meyer lemons, it can be challenging to find them depending on where you're located, especially is you're far from a citrus-growing region. The lemons are often found at specialty grocers, as they can be hard to find in supermarkets. However, a great option is to shop citrus trees for sale or fruit online that are shipped directly to your door from a citrus grower or nursery.