What would we do without lemons? These tart yellow juicy bits of sunshine have been brightening our lives since ancient times. We twist them into our water and sweet tea almost without thinking. We use cleaners, candles, and diffusers with their fragrance to make our homes smell fresh and clean. Here on the coast where seafood is plentiful, they’re always on hand to flavor our fish and spritz over the Wild Georgia shrimp in our Low Country boils. And is a summer picnic even a picnic without lemon bars or a lemon pound cake? We embrace happy lemon color tones in our home décor and in our wardrobe, especially as we move into spring. Outside the home, we’re lucky enough to live in a region where lemons fare well and can be planted in the yard or grown in containers on sun porches.
Julie Andrew
Lemon Tableware from St. Simons Drug Co.
Regular Lemons v. Meyer Lemons
So what’s the difference between an ordinary lemon and a Meyer lemon? When people talk about “regular” lemons, they are generally referring to Eureka or Lisbon lemons, the two most common lemon varieties found in the produce section of your local grocery store. The fruit is easily recognized by their large size, thick, textured, bright, sunny skin, and medium yellow pulp. These lemons are highly acidic, meaning they have a tang and sour taste that makes your mouth pucker. Regular lemons are available year-round, because the trees have no season and can bear fruit all year, although some seasons yield more fruit. These lemons are grown commercially, whereas the Meyer lemon remains a local grown specialty if you’re lucky enough to live in a warm, sunny climate like the Golden Isles.
Meyer lemons were first introduced to the United States from China in the early 20th century by USDA plant explorer Frank Meyer, from whom they also got their name. He discovered the plant growing as a dooryard tree in Beijing, China in 1908. This sweet winter citrus is thought to be a lemon-mandarin or a lemon-orange hybrid. The trees produce medium sized, practically seedless, almost sweet, juicy lemons. Meyer lemons have a rounder shape than regular lemons, with smoother, thin, deep yellow to orange skin, and dark yellow to pinkish pulp (depending on soil and climate). They are less acidic and lack the tang of regular lemons. Their rinds give off a more herbal, spicy citrus scent and taste. The fruit can be eaten raw, and is often used for flavoring, in making juices, and desserts. It makes excellent lemonade!
Although they tolerate cold well, the Meyer lemon has a soft thin skin that doesn’t tolerate transportation well. For this reason it’s not used for commercial production, industrial use, or food processing. If you’re not growing your own or have a generous friend or neighbor with a tree or two, you may occasionally find the fruit in a local farmers’ market. More seasonal than regular lemons, you’re most likely to find them between December and May. They thrive in Southern gardens and as ornamental container pots if given a sunny spot to grow and protected from hard freezes.
Lemons in Mason Jar by Loren DiBenedetto
Recipes
We’ve compiled a few simple recipes that highlight the zesty appeal of both varieties of lemon. This Meyer Lemon Dijon Chicken is a flavorful entree for any season. Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Pasta is a like a citrusy scampi and perfect way to enjoy our sweet Wild Georgia Shrimp. The Family Picnic Lemon Bars are always a popular choice for potlucks and family gatherings. If you’re looking to make a sunny cocktail or after-dinner digestivo, try our limoncello recipe.
Lemon with Straw
Health Benefits
Not only does lemon taste good, it’s good for you! The vitamins, fiber, and plant compounds in lemons provide essential health benefits. The pulp, rind, and juice are rich with vitamins that stimulate immunity and reduce the risk of disease. The soluble dietary fiber in lemon also aids in healthy digestion.
Lemon and other fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient that strengthens the immune system and keeps your skin smooth and elastic. Lemons contain about 31 grams of Vitamin C, which is nearly double the amount of Vitamin C needed in your daily diet. Citrus fruits are also a rich source for other vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly, including B vitamins, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and copper. Additionally, they are rich in plant compounds that have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These compounds include over 60 varieties of flavonoids, carotenoids and essential oils, and are responsible for many of citrus fruit’s health benefits.
Along with boosting immunity, this burst of Vitamin C lemons provide can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease with regular consumption. Additionally, soluble dietary fiber, which lemons have in abundance, has been proven to reduce risk factors for heart disease by lowering LDL or bad cholesterol. A surplus of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries within the heart.
The pectin fiber found in lemons expands once it is ingested, making you feel full sooner and longer. Although lemon water is often touted as an effective tool in weight loss and weight management, results in humans have not been proven. Simply drinking water may keep you full and help you avoid snacking as effectively as lemon water, although maybe the taste of lemon water induces you to drink more of it.
Julie Andrew
Spritz Me Baby One More Thyme limoncello cocktail at Halyards
You can order this refreshing cocktail at Tramici. The drink combines Caravella limoncello, Tanqueray gin, Prosecco, and thyme-infused simple syrup.cheers!
Lemon can also help your body absorb more iron from plant-based foods in your diet. Maintaining proper iron levels is important to help prevent anemia. A lower than average number of red blood cells is often the result of iron-deficiency. Lemons can help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones are painful mineral crystals that can form when your urine is very concentrated or has higher-than-normal amounts of stone-forming minerals. Low levels of citrate in urine can cause kidney stones. Lemons and other citrus fruits, can lower the risk of stones by raising the levels of citrate in urine. Drinking citrus juices and eating citrus fruits can provide a natural alternative to potassium citrate supplements.
Studies have suggested that citrus fruits may protect against several types of cancer. These fruits contain numerous plant compounds, including flavonoids that act as antioxidants and may block the expression of certain genes that are responsible for some degenerative diseases, including cancer. Citrus fruits may also help suppress cancers, blocking the formation of new cancers and rendering carcinogens inactive. Grab a glass of lemonade and drink to your health.