Herb. No. 214 · Rutaceae
Asian hybrid; a Mediterranean and California orchard, and a kitchen pot north.
Native · South Asia · East Asia
Native Also grown
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Lemon
Citrus limon
Fruit & vegetableHarvestCompanions
The acid citrus of the pantry — a squeeze, a preserved rind, a folklore cold cup that is mostly vitamin C and hot water.
Lemon is a hybrid citrus of South and East Asian origin, grown wherever frost is shy. Traditional use is as acid and aroma. Culinary fruit is the path. A hot lemonade is a comfort, not an antiviral. The peel’s oil is for zest; a teaspoon of essential oil is a poison-control call. Meyer is a milder, thinner-skinned cousin.
Flavor
Sharp acid, floral peel. Meyer is honey-orange at the edge.
Parts used
Juice · Zest
Helpful
- A pot tree in a sunny window
- Juice keeps the rest of the kitchen awake
Cautions
- Frost
- Essential oil is not lemonade
- Acid on enamel if you sip all day