Lemons
are the citrus fruit from the tree
Citrus limon, a hybrid of cultivated
origin. They are cultivated primarily
for their juice, though the pulp
and rind are also used, primarily
in cooking or mixing. Lemon juice
is about 5% citric acid, which gives
lemons a sour taste. This is a small
tree, to 6 m (20 ft) but usually
smaller. The branches are thorny,
and form an open crown. The leaves
are elliptical-acuminate. Flowers
are violet and streaked in the interior
and white on the outside. The first
description of the lemon, which
had been introduced from India two
centuries earlier, is found in Arabic
writings from the 12th century.
More recent research has identified
lemons in the ruins of Pompeii.
The origin of the name lemon is
Persian (from Persian لیمو
Limu). They were cultivated in Genoa
in the mid-fifteenth century, and
appeared in the Azores in 1494.
Lemons were once used by the British
Royal navy to combat scurvy, as
they provided a large amount of
vitamin C. The Royal Navy originally
thought lemons were overripe limes
which they resemble and their sailors
became known as limeys, not lemonys.
Both lemons and limes are regularly
served as lemonade (natural lemon
with water and sugar) or limeade,
its equivalent, or as a garnish
for drinks such as cola with a slice
either inside or on the rim of the
glass. Lemon juice is typically
dripped onto battered fish dishes
in restaurants in the United Kingdom
and other countries; the acidic
juice neutralizes the taste of amines
in fish. Some people like to eat
lemons as fruit. Propagation is
by grafting as the stock is vunerable
to cankers and dry rot. Lemon juice
contains approximately 500 milligrams
of vitamin C and 50 grams of citric
acid per liter.
Supplied
by: Caroline Blakey
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
