Lemons: 8 Astounding Facts About This Remarkable Super Fruit

Lemons - 8 Incredible Facts About This Amazing Super Fruit
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1. Lemons: Rutaceae Family, Citrus Genus

Lemons. Rutaceae Family. Citrus Genus
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Scientifically known as Citrus Limon, Lemons are native to the Asian continent. Lemons belong to the Rutaceae family of evergreen flowering plants. They are part of the citrus genus. Their leaves always remain green throughout their lives regardless of seasons. Like many other citrus fruits, Lemon is also a hybrid fruit. Lemon is a hybrid between Sour Orange or Bitter Orange (Citrus Aurantium) and Citron (Citrus Medica).

Originally lemon plants were mid-length with timbered stems. The branches and the leaves would spread out up in the sky and might have an asymmetric structure. Some varieties may have umbrella-type spreading from small timbered stems. The older varieties of lemon plants still very much exist and are cultivated throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia. However, through years of grafting, these plants have become smaller and smaller. Lemon plants can easily be grown in a flowering pot though they still have the timbered stem. Some varieties of lemon plants can be bushy.

2. Lemons: Origins

Lemons - Origin
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As mentioned earlier, Lemons are native to the Asian continent – Southeast Asia to be precise. They are suitable for tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions. Although they can be cultivated in colder regions, the plants can not survive frigid conditions. It is believed that the first appearance of Lemons occurred in Northeast India, Southern parts of China, and Southeast Asian religions. Some varieties of Lemon may have simultaneously occurred in parts of the Mediterranean.

However, lemons as we know them came to the Mediterranean from Southeast Asia, China, and India. Later, they were spread to the European continent via Italy and Spain. From Europe, lemons spread across various continents via European colonization. This super fruit came to America by Christopher Colombus in the late 15th century.

3. Production

Lemons - Production
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Currently, lemon is produced throughout all the continents, except for Antarctica. In 2022, Approximately 22.6 Million Metric tons of Lemons and Limes were produced in the World. It is a little less than the total production in 2021 (22.65 Million Metric tons). It is to be noted that the Lemon and Limes numbers are put together as these two citrus fruits are very similar and in many countries and regions, they are used interchangeably. Also, the numbers could be different as definitions of Lemon and Lime can vary across countries and regions.

India is leading the country in terms of Lemon and Lime production in 2022. India has a 16% share of the total Lemon and Lime production in the World. India produced around 3.6 Million Metric tons of Lemon and Lime in 2022. Mexico came in number two with 3.1 Million Metric tons of production and a share of 13.8% of total worldwide production. China came in number 3 with a total Lemon and Lime production of 2.6 Million Metric tons and a total 11.5% share in Worldwide production.

Argentina produced 1.93 Million Metric tons of Lemon and Limes and occupied the 4th position with an 8.5% share in Lemon and Lime production. European Union as a whole produced 1.72 Million Metric tons of Lemon and Lime and it has a 7.6% share in the total production. Turkey produced a total of 1.61 Million Metric tons of Lemon and Lime and came at number 5 with a 7.1% share of total production.

4. Lemons: Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits

Lemons: Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits
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Lemons are evergreen trees which means that their leaves remain green in all seasons. Lemon leaves can be medium in length and oval to oblong in shape. The leaves are fragrant and upon quashing they release a sweet smell that resembles the smell of the lemon fruit. Some leaves can have oily discharge. Their apex are pointy and the margins can have smooth tooth-like structures. The midriffs of the leaves are prominent and the veins and venules spread across the entire leaf. The petiole, the portion that connects the axil and the base of the leaf, can have green and small leaf-like overgrowth. The axil of the leaves can have thrones.

Lemon flowers are white and generally have five petals. The flower petals are faded purple at the base. The flower buds come out of the axil of the branch and are dark to light purple. The lemon flowers have a beautiful citrus smell. The fragrance of the lemon flowers is stronger than the leaves and it propagates around the tree. It plays a part in attracting honey bees who, in turn, help in pollination.

Once the pollination is done, the fruit starts growing in the center of the flower. As it grows more, the petals fall and the fruit becomes more and more prominent. At the start, the Lemon fruit can be elongated and green. Once it grows fully, it takes an oblong-oval shape. The lemon fruits are generally medium in size. Once fully ripe, the lemons turn yellow. They have thick outer skin or exocarp that has a sweet smell and releases oily discharge.

Inside, lemon fruits are divided into various chambers, around 6-10, which are protected by a transparent middle layer or a mesocarp. The chambers contain juicy and fragrant pulp and small & oval seeds. When not ripened, the pulp has a bitter, acidic, and sour taste. The amount of juice is also lower in unripened lemons. However, once ripened and yellow, the juice content increases, and the sour & acidic taste turns mild.

5. Different Varieties of Lemon

Different Varieties of Lemon
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As lemons are grown worldwide, they have developed different varieties. Due to different weather conditions, soil structure, grafting, and cross-breeding, lemons have developed different shapes, tastes, colors, and features. Although most of these varieties have a tart and tangy taste, some varieties can be sweet. For example, sweet lemon (Citrus Limetta) or ‘mousambi’ is an Indian and Southeast Asian variety of lemon that develops sweet juice upon ripening. It is round, big, & juicy and turns greenish-yellow upon ripening. A version of sweet lemon also exists in the Meddetteran basin.

Another Indian variety of lemon is ‘Kaji Nemu‘. This special type of lemons comes from the Indian state of Assam. They are also grown in other Northeastern states of India. These lemons are oval & long and retain a greenish tinge to their yellow skin even after they ripen. The lemons are juicer than the usual varieties of lemons and have a beautiful smell & tangy sour taste. Speaking of fragrant smell, another Indian lemon variety – ‘Gandharaj Lebu’ is also known for its amazing lemony aroma. Compared to Kaji Nemu, these lemons can be bigger and more oval. These lemons retain their green color even after ripening.

‘Citron de Menton’ or Menton Lemon is a lemon variety that is grown mainly in France. The lemon got its name from the French city of Menton. Upon ripening, this lemon variety develops a bright yellow skin and releases an amazing fragrance. Due to its low acidic contact, its juice tastes milder and less sour than other lemons. Two other prominent European varieties of lemon are Lisbon Lemon and Bearss Lemon. Lisbon Lemon originated from Lisbon city in Portugal while Bearss Lemon originated from Italy. Both these lemons have elongated and oval shapes. They are juicer compared to other varieties and have a tart tangy taste.

Not all lemons are round, oval, or smooth. Some lemons can have an oblong-elongated shape and rough skin. Scientifically known as ‘Citrus Jambhiri‘, these lemons are popularly known as Rough Lemon or Bush Lemon. These lemons can have distinct sub-varieties. They have thick skin and can have a sour taste. They are grown in different parts of the world including India, Australia, South Africa, USA, etc. The plant of these lemons is used as ‘rootstock’. However, in some countries – like Australia, India, etc – they are used for culinary purposes.

Then, there is one type of lemon that has a unique finger-like shape. Popularly known as ‘Buddha’s Hand‘, this lemon variety has finger-like yellow segments. Scientifically known as Citrus Medica, this finger-shaped lemon is grown in various countries of Southeast Asia, Southeast India, and China. Apart from these lemons, many other varieties of lemon are cultivated throughout the Globe. Some lemon varieties that are worth mentioning are Lamas lemon, Eureka lemon, Meyer lemon, Interdonato lemon, Geona lemon, Pat Nebu Lemon, etc.

6. Lemons: One of The Best Sources of Vitamin C

Lemons - One of The Best Sources of Vitamin C
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Lemon is a citrus fruit and, just like other citrus fruits, is one the best sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the 13 essential vitamins. It is also known as ‘Ascorbic Acid’ and is a water-soluble vitamin. The presence of Ascorbic Acid and some other acids gives lemons and other citrus fruits their signature tangy and sour taste. Now some vegetables have a lot of Vitamin C, but as Vitamin C is water-soluble, its content gets reduced if the vegetables are cooked.

Also, the heat from the cooking can destroy Vitamin C. For example, Bell Peppers, especially the red ones, have a lot of Vitamin C. However, as Bell Peppers are consumed in cooked form, not all the Vitamin C content of the Bell Pepper can be consumed. So, eating raw fruits that do not need to be cooked, can be the best source of Vitamin C as the entire Vitamin C content can be consumed. That is why lemons and other citrus fruits are considered some of the best sources of Vitamin C as we can consume the pulp and juice of these fruits without treating them with heat.

Depending on the variety, a medium-sized lemon, weighing around 80-90 grams can contain 40-50 mg of Vitamin C. Per 100 grams content of lemon can have 50-60 mg of Vitamin C which provides 60%-70% of the daily recommended need of Vitamin C for an adult male and up to 80% daily recommended need for an adult female. Per 100 grams weight, lemons and oranges have almost similar Vitamin C content. Per 100 grams weight, lemons have almost 10 times more Vitamin C than apples, 15 times more Vitamin C than grapes, 4 times more Vitamin C than Blue Berries, 2 times more Vitamin C than grapefruits, and 1.5 times more Vitamin C than mangoes.

Apart from oranges, lemons’ Vitamin C content is almost at par with fruits such as Papaya, Strawberries, Pomelo, etc. However, some vegetables such as Bell Peppers, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, etc, and some fruits such as Indian Gooseberry, Guava, Papaya, etc have a lot more Vitamin C content than lemons.

7. Lemons: Other Nutrients

Lemons - Other Nutrients
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Lemon is a super fruit and it is packed with various nutrients including various minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. By weight lemon is 85%-90% water. A standard 100 grams of lemon contains around 25-30 kilocalories most of which comes from carbohydrates. A 100 grams serving of lemon may contain 10-12 grams of carbohydrate. Lemon also contains 3 grams of dietary fiber and only 1 gram of protein. As mentioned before, lemons are one of the best sources of Vitamin C. A serving of 100 grams of lemon may contain 50-60 mg of Vitamin C which covers 60%-70% of the daily need for an adult male and 80% of the daily need for an adult female.

However, lemon is also loaded with many other essential vitamins. It has around 5 mg of Choline which is an essential nutrient and can act as a Vitamin B-complex component. Previously, it was considered as Vitamin B4 but later it was classified as an essential nutrient, and ‘Adenine’ is classified as Vitamin B4. Lemon also contains various B-complex vitamins such as Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, etc. Lemon also contains 0.10-0.20 mg of Vitamin E and a trace amount of Vitamin A.

Lemons are also good sources of various minerals which play a very important part in our wellbeing. Lemon is loaded with potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. A 100-gram portion of lemon may contain 120-150 mg of potassium, 20-30 mg of calcium, 10-12 mg of magnesium, and 15-20 mg of phosphorus. Lemon also has 2-3 mg of sodium and 0.5-1 mg of iron. It also has trace amounts of zinc, selenium, and copper.

Lemons also contain various pro-vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive components. Apart from Vitamin C which is ascorbic acid, lemons contain citric acid and malic acid. Lemons contain various carotenoids pro-vitamins, such as beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene, which get synthesized into Vitamin A. They also contain various antioxidants such as lutein, hesperidin, diosmin, zeaxanthin, eriocitrin, etc. Lemon’s skin contains the antioxidant d-limonene which provides the beautiful citrus fragrance of lemon.

8. Health Benefits of Lemons

Health Benefits of Lemons
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Lemons come with loads of healthy benefits. Vitamin C present in this super fruit helps boost our overall immunity. It aids in the healing process of cuts and bruises by promoting cell growth. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in fighting anemia as it helps the absorption of iron in our bodies. Vitamin C and other antioxidants in the lemon help the body to get rid of the free radicals that damage our cells and are responsible for various non-communicable diseases including cancers. Regular and moderate consumption of lemon may prevent various types of cancers. Lemon is also good for our renal system. The citric acid present in the lemons reduces the chances of developing kidney stones.

This super fruit has a very low glycemic index – 20 – hence if consumed, it is very unlikely to spike blood sugar levels. Other healthy fruits, such as Blueberries, oranges, mangoes, apples, grapefruits, strawberries, etc, have a bigger glycemic index number. Blueberries have a glycemic index of 55. Oranges have a glycemic index of 40. Mangoes have a glycemic index of 50. Apples have a glycemic index of 39. Grapefruits have a glycemic index of 25. Strawberries have a glycemic index of 40. These fruits, even though healthy and contain a low glycemic index, may spike sugar levels more compared to lemons.

Lemons are low in calories, are mostly water by weight, and have loads of dietary fibers that help manage blood sugar levels and aid in weight management. Lemonade, made from lemon juice mixed in water, is a cool refreshing beverage that helps one remain hydrated in hot and humid summer. It helps balance the electrolytes in our bodies. Various antioxidants present in the lemon have anti-inflammatory properties that lower the probability of heart attack. Various minerals and vitamins present in lemons help regulate blood pressure.

Caution

Lemons - Caution
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Even though lemon is full of beneficial properties, overconsumption may lead to unwanted health hazards. Lemon juice is acidic and may cause acidity, heartburn, vomiting, and indigestion if consumed disproportionately. The acidic nature of lemon may cause erosion of the enamel present in our teeth. The acidic nature of lemon may cause allergic reactions. Lemon may also interfere with various blood thinning and blood pressure medications and may reduce their efficiency. Also, even with all the health benefits, lemon can not replace the need for medication and proper health care, especially in case of medical emergencies.

Still, lemon is a super fruit that enhances our cuisines with its amazing citrus fragrances and provides a lot of benefits.

**This article is only for information purposes. Do not make your important decision based solely on the information provided here. Do your own research. In case of a medical emergency, consult a medical professional and a doctor.

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