Meyer Lemon

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Meyer Lemons grow on an almost thornless tree.

They are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin. At 2 to 3 inches long (5 to 7 1/2 cm), they are smaller than other lemons, and quite round.

As the lemons mature, they go from greenish to yellow to an almost orangey-yellow. The skin is smooth and thin, with less bitter white pith under it than other lemons.

Meyers are sweeter than other lemons, and much less tart. The aroma is more like orange mixed with lime. These are lemons that you can even eat raw, without a sweetener added, though the downside is that the rind won't give you the zap that zest from other lemons will. The thin skin is, however, edible raw.

The thin skin makes Meyer Lemons tough to ship, store and handle on a commercial scale, like other lemons. Consequently, they are still hard to find commercially, though people are very enthusiastic about them when they do come across them.


Equivalents
1 pound = 450g = 6 to 8 Meyer lemons

Storage
Won't last as long as other lemons. Put in plastic bag and refrigerate for up to a few days.

History
Meyer Lemons originated in China. They were grown there for at least a few hundred years prior to being introduced to America in 1908. They were brought over by Frank Meyer, who worked for the US Department of Agriculture.

Up until the 1980s, the Meyer Lemon tree was primarily grown in America as an ornamental or by home gardeners. Credit is generally given to Alice Waters of Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley for popularizing them as a food item after that.

Also called:
Citrus meyeri (Scientific Name) Top...