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Learn more about "Lemon"
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Lemon
The '''lemon''' is the common name for ''Citrus limon''. The reproductive tissue surrounds the seed of the angiosperm lemon tree. The lemon is used for culinary and nonculinary purposes throughout the world. The fruit is used primarily for its juice, though the pulp and peel (fruit)|rind (zest (ingredient)|zest) are also used, primarily in cooking and baking. Lemon juice is about 5% (approximately 0.03 mole per liter) citric acid, which gives lemons a tart taste, and a pH of 2 to 3. This makes lemon juice an inexpensive, readily available acid for use in educational science experiments. Lemons are also known for their sourness. Because of the tart flavor, many lemon-flavored drinks and candies are available on the market, including lemonade.
History
The exact origin of the lemon has remained a mystery, though it is widely presumed that lemons first grew in India, northern Burma, and China.[Wright, A. Clifford. History of Lemonade, CliffordAWright.com][The origins, limmi.it.] In South and South East Asia, it was known for its antiseptic properties and it was used as an antidote for various poisons. It was later introduced to Persia and then to Iraq and Egypt around AD 700. The lemon was first recorded in literature in a tenth century Arabic treatise on farming, and was also used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens.[Morton, J. 1987. Lemon. p. 160–168. ''Fruits of warm climates''. (Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.) @ Purdue University]
In 1747, James Lind (physician)|James Lind's experiments on seamen suffering from scurvy involved adding Vitamin C to their diets through lemon juice.[Case 3: Naval Medicine: The Fight Against Scurvy @ King's College at London. Information on this site is based from: James Lind. A treatise on the scurvy. Second edition. London: printed for A. Millar, 1757. Thomas's Historical Collection 28.b.9.]
The name ''lemon'' was originated from Arabic language|Arabic ''līmūn'' لیمون and Persian ''limun'' through Old Italian and Old French ''limone''.[ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. Entry for ''Lemon''][History of Lemon, Food Resource @ Oregon State University.][Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Entry for ''Lemon'']
The Meyer lemon, actually a cross between a lemon and possibly an orange or a mandarin, was named for Frank N. Meyer who first discovered it in 1908.
Thin-skinned and slightly less acidic than the Lisbon and Eureka lemons, Meyer lemons require more care when shipping and are not widely grown on a commercial basis.
Culinary uses
Lemons are used to make lemonade, and as a garnish (food)|garnish for drinks. Many mixed drinks, soft drinks, iced tea, and water are often served with a wedge or slice of lemon in the glass or on the rim. The average lemon contains approximately 3 tablespoons of juice. Allowing lemons to come to room temperature before squeezing (or heating briefly in a Microwave oven|microwave) makes the juice easier to extract. Lemons left unrefrigerated for long periods of time are susceptible to mold.
Fish are marinated in lemon juice to neutralize the odor. The acid neutralizes the amines in fish by converting them into nonvolatile ammonium salts.
Lemon juice, alone or in combination with other ingredients, is used to marinate meat before cooking: the acid provided by the juice partially hydrolysis|hydrolyzes the tough collagen fibers in the meat (tenderizing the meat), though the juice does not have any antibiotic effects.
Lemons, alone or with Orange (fruit)|oranges, are used to make marmalade. The grated rind of the lemon, called lemon zest, is used to add flavor to baked goods, puddings, rice and other dishes. Preserved Lemon|Pickled lemons are a Moroccan cuisine|Moroccan delicacy. A liqueur called limoncello is made from lemon rind.
When lemon juice is sprinkled on certain foods that tend to oxidize and turn brown after being sliced, such as apples, bananas and avocados, the acid acts as a short-term preservative by denaturing the enzymes that cause browning and degradation.
Non-culinary uses
- Citric acid - Lemons were the primary commercial source of this substance prior to the development of fermentation-based processes.
- Lemon battery - A popular science experiment in schools involves attaching electrodes to a lemon and using it as a battery (electricity)|battery to power a light. The electricity generated in this way can also power a small motor. These experiments also work with other fruits and vegetables.
- Sanitary kitchen deodorizer - deodorize, remove grease, bleach stain, and disinfect; when mixed with baking soda, lemon can remove stains from plastic food storage containers.[6 ingredients for a green, clean home, Shine. Retrieved on April 24, 2008.]
- Lemon hair lightener - Lemon juice applied to the hair can work as a natural hair lightener.
- Insecticide - The d-limonene|''d''-limonene in lemon oil is used as a non-toxic insecticide treatment. See orange oil.
- Acne Treatment - Applying lemon juice to facial blemishes is a popular form of treating acne.
- Skin bleach - Lemon juice is also believed by many to lighten the skin when applied topically, as it has been suggested that the acids it contains inhibits melanin production. The effectiveness, however, is largely a subject of debate.
- Fresh squeezed lemon in a glass of ample water is said to cleanse the liver. It is also said that lemon helps to stimulate the metabolism.
- Antibacterial uses because it has a low pH
- Lemon is used in facial masks for refreshing the skin.
- Wood treatment - the traditional lemon oil used on the unsealed rosewood fingerboards of guitars and other stringed instruments is not made from lemons. It's a different product all together, made from mineral oil and a solvent, usually naphtha, and got its name from its color and tart smell, and should not be confused with the corrosive oil of lemons.
- Lemon juice is often used to clean the inside of animal skins prior to taxidermy.
- Natural deodorants are generally made from lemon extracts. Raw lemon can be used as a short term deodorant.
- Aromatherapy - Researchers at Ohio State University reveals that lemon oil aroma may enhance your mood, and relax you.[9 Ohio State University Research, March 3, 2008 Study is published in the March 2008 issue of the journal ''Psychoneuroendocrinology'']
- A halved lemon dipped in salt or baking powder can be used to brighten copper cookware. The acid cuts through the tarnish and the abrasives assist the cleaning.
Lemon alternatives
Several other plants have a similar taste to lemons. In recent times, the Australian bush food lemon myrtle has become a popular alternative to lemons.[Lemon Myrtle] The crushed and dried leaves and edible essential oils have a strong, sweet lemon taste but contain no citric acid. Lemon myrtle is popular in foods that curdle with lemon juice, such as cheesecake and ice cream. Lime fruit|Limes are often used instead of lemons.
Many other plants are noted to have a lemon-like taste or scent. Among them are ''Cymbopogon'' (lemon grass), lemon balm, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, scented Pelargonium|geraniums, certain cultivars of basil, and certain cultivars of mentha|mint.
Production
India with ~16% of worlds overall lemon and lime output tops the production list followed by Mexico(~14.5%), Argentina(~10%), Brazil(~8%) and Spain(~7%).
References
External links
- (Purdue University) Julia Morton|Morton, Julia F. 1987. "Lemon". pp. 160–168, in ''Fruits of warm climates''. (Julia F. Morton, Miami)
- PlantFiles: Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer'
Category:Citrus
Category:Tropical agriculture
Category:Arabic words and phrases
zh-min-nan:Lê-bóng
simple:Lemon
zh-yue:檸檬
Related Images- ''Citrus x limon'' flowers.
- Pickled lemons, a Moroccan delicacy
- Lemon marmalade on a slice of bread
- Lemon in the process of ripening
Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL
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