Friday Fruits: Meyer Lemons

Happy Friday! Today I’d like to share with you some photos of my little lemon tree which is covered in ripe Meyer lemons ready to be picked. 

IMG_3491

These lemons look so pretty hanging bright yellow on the branches that I was reluctant to pick any of them. 

IMG_3479

I read in one a gardening magazine that you want to wait for the citrus to be ripe before they are picked as they don’t ripen once they are off the tree.  So I picked just a handful and left the rest.

IMG_3487

What’s unique about Meyer lemons?

I always wondered what sets Meyer lemons apart from regular lemons and why people love them so much.  As it turns out Meyer lemons are very different from a regular lemon in that they are actually a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. Meyer lemons are native to China and are relatively new to the United States.  These lemons were first introduced here in the early 20th century by Frank Meyer for whom the lemons are named. Here are a few other unique characteristics of Meyer lemons.

  • Appearance – Meyer lemons are smaller than regular lemons, with smoother, thin, deep yellow to orange skin, and dark yellow pulp. The differences are very distinct, especially when you see both varieties side by side.
  • Taste – While they’re moderately acidic, Meyer lemons don’t have the same tang as regular lemons. Instead, they’re much sweeter — so much so that some people enjoy adding the raw segments to their salads or desserts. Their rinds also have a more complex scent than regular lemons — a spicy bergamot fragrance that tastes and smells more like an herb or a spice.
  • Availability – While regular lemons are readily available all year long, Meyer lemons are more seasonal. They are usually available from December through May.
  • Source: thekitchn.com
IMG_3481
IMG_3486

If you have loads of lemons and are looking for ways to use them check out these lemony recipes 🍋.

Lemon Almond Bundt Cake

IMG_3995

Lemon Vanilla Ice Cream

IMG_0794

Indian Lemon Pickles

IMG_3870

Lemonade Syrup

IMG_4802.jpg

Zucchini Lemon Soup

IMG_3906

Lemon walnut oil vinaigrette

IMG_4867

Lemon honey vinaigrette

img_0676

Lemon Garlic Pasta with Peas and Leeks

IMG_3858.jpg

Lemon Ginger Pound Cake

IMG_3386

Have a wonderfully refreshing weekend everyone! 🍋🍰

IMG_3483

8 thoughts on “Friday Fruits: Meyer Lemons”

  1. When I grew citrus in the early 1990s, ‘Meyer’ lemon was our most popular cultivar of the forty or so we grew. It was also my least favorite to work with. It was one of only two cultiars that were on their own roots, which means that they were not grafted. (The other was the ‘Seville’ sour orange, which was our least popular cultivar.) They are so shrubby and irregular. However, in the garden, they are exemplary for production and fitting into tight spaces. Other lemons get too big. (‘Ponerosa’ lemon stays small, but is unpopular because it produces freakishly big fruits.) The floral fragrance is exquisite too!

Leave a Reply to dpranita583Cancel reply