Lemon is a special fruit – it is successfully used both in cooking, medicine and cosmetics.
There are many varieties of lemon, but we usually do not pay attention to this. “Lemon is lemon” – we say and buy any that we come across in the nearest store. However, it was not at all like that!
In our market, there are usually two types of lemons – local and the so-called Meyer lemon. If you look at the photo, you will understand that it is very easy to distinguish them.
Meyer lemons
14 million tons of Meyer lemons are grown worldwide annually. They are a hybrid of lemon and orange, of Chinese origin. They are a low, thornless tree or shrub, and are mostly grown indoors for decorative purposes. They are chosen for planting in the yard or even at home due to their compact size, relative resistance to temperature changes, and early ripening.
Knowing the difference between a regular lemon and a hybrid variety is useful for anyone interested in cooking. A regular lemon is much more acidic, while a Meyer lemon has a milder taste. In addition, it is rounder and smaller, with a dark yellow, almost orange skin. Unlike other varieties of lemons, a Meyer lemon does not keep for long.
If, for example, we want to make lemon ice cream, cream, or lemon sauce for fruit salad, it is best to use Meyer lemons. Other varieties of lemons are good when we need lemon zest.
