Aviva Trivia

Citrus x limon, better known as the lemon is a citrus tree primarily grown in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain, but also is grown commercially in the United States, India and Brazil as well as some other tropical and subtropical locales.  The following factual offerings provide a vast array of information about growing lemons, harvesting lemons, and using lemons for various household purposes.

Although lemon trees require plenty of sunshine and cannot tolerate cold temperatures of killing frosts, they grow surprisingly well in poor soil, even extremely sandy soils. 

According to reference sources, it is believed that the first cultivated lemons derived from Central India-specifically, the Deccan Plateau.  However, the word “lemon” is actually of Persian origins.

While ancient Romans referred to lemons (citrons, as they called them) as “medicinal fruit,” the people of India termed them “golden apples” and used them for trade purposes with other cultures. 

Lemons have been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii; however, the first detailed description of the lemon did not occur until the beginning of the tenth century when it was written about by Arab scribes.  Arab peoples also encouraged the spread of the lemon to other lands.

Lemonade is thought to be an Egyptian original-at least according to the earliest documentary evidence.  Sources say that lemon juice mixed with sugar was sold around the year 1104 in a Jewish community in the Egyptian city of Cairo.

Medieval cooks flavored cakes and puddings with both lemon and orange flavored water for special occasions.

Because of their high content of Vitamin C, the British Royal Navy loaded their ships’ stores with lemon to help sailors combat scurvy which is caused by Vitamin C deficiency.

In cooking, lemon is frequently coupled with fish as its acidic properties balance out the fish amines.

Lemons are most often served as a garnish to drinks or even to add flavor to plain drinking water.

Some busy cooks have discovered that they can replace buttermilk in a recipe by pairing a cup of plain milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice.

To remove the smell of onions or garlic from your hands, rub them with a section of lemon and then rinse.

A cup of lemon juice can be a great substitute for bleach when brightening white garments.

To scour your microwave, place a bowl of water piled with sliced lemons inside.  Microwave for about a minute and a half before wiping clean.

For rust stains in your sink, rub with a section of lemon.  Then rinse.

To keep your sliced apples looking attractive on a dish, dot them with lemon juice to ward off the browning that would otherwise occur.

A classic science experiment for children is to construct a lemon battery.  By placing electrodes on the fruit, kids can literally add juice to a light.

Lemon peel oil has many industrial uses; Guatemala is a leading producer of lemon peel oil.

Lemon oil along with lemon juice is often used to make confections like hard candy.

Armstrong seedless lemons were developed in 1909 in Riverside, California.

Many of the concentrated lemon products we by are made with Avon lemons first grown in Florida.

Lemons will keep for several weeks when refrigerated within a lidded jar.