Lemon: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The mention of the lemon in literature dates back to a tenth century Arabic treatise on farming, although it was probably first grown in Assam, India. The lemon was used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens. Lemonade may have originated in medieval Egypt.<ref>*[http://www.cliffordawright.com/history/lemonade.html]</ref> |
The mention of the lemon in literature dates back to a tenth century Arabic treatise on farming, although it was probably first grown in Assam, India. The lemon was used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens. Lemonade may have originated in medieval Egypt.<ref>*[http://www.cliffordawright.com/history/lemonade.html]</ref> |
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Jame Lind's experiments on seamen suffering from scurvy involved adding Vitamin C to their diets through lemon juice. <ref> http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/iss/library/speccoll/exhibitions/skilsail/scurv.html |
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==Culinary uses== |
==Culinary uses== |
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Revision as of 08:39, 5 August 2007
- This article is about the fruit. For other uses, see Lemon (disambiguation)
| Lemon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Citrus x limon | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Subclass: | |
| Species: | C. × limon
|
| Binomial name | |
| Citrus × limon (L.) Burm.f.
| |
The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a hybrid in cultivated wild plants. It is the common name for the reproductive tissue surrounding the seed of the angiosperm lemon tree. The fruit is used primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind (zest) are also used, primarily in cooking and baking. Lemon juice is about 5% acid, which gives lemons a tart taste, and a pH of 2 to 3. This makes lemon juice an inexpensive, readily available acid for use in educational science experiments.
Description
A lemon tree can reach a height of 10 meters (33 feet), although the average tree is generally smaller. The branches are thorny, and form an open crown. The leaves are green, shiny and elliptical-acuminate. Flowers are white on the outside with a violet streaked interior and have a strong fragrance. The fruit grows underneath the flowers; as the flower petals fall away, a small green nub is left behind, which matures into the fruit. On a healthy lemon tree, flowers and ripe fruits can often be found at the same time.[1]
Lemon fruit are ovoid with a pointed tip at the end. When ripe, they have a bright yellow skin, a layer of pith underneath and a paler yellow segmented interior. Small seeds commonly known as 'pips' are found within the fruit.
History
The mention of the lemon in literature dates back to a tenth century Arabic treatise on farming, although it was probably first grown in Assam, India. The lemon was used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens. Lemonade may have originated in medieval Egypt.[2]
Jame Lind's experiments on seamen suffering from scurvy involved adding Vitamin C to their diets through lemon juice. Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). These may be able to deter cell growth in cancers. Limonins found in lemons could also be anti-carcinogens.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 121 kJ (29 kcal) | ||||||||||
9 g | |||||||||||
| Sugars | 2.5 g | ||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 2.8 g | ||||||||||
0.3 g | |||||||||||
1.1 g | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||
| Water | 89 g | ||||||||||
| Citric acid | 5 g | ||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[3] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[4] | |||||||||||
Because of its high Vitamin C content, lemon has been touted in alternative medicine as a tonic for the digestive system, immune system, and skin.[citation needed]There is a belief in Ayurvedic medicine that a cup of hot water with lemon juice in it tonifies and purifies the liver. In a Japanese study into the effects of aromatherapy, lemon essential oil in vapour form has been found to reduce stress in mice.[5]
Non-culinary uses
- Lemon battery - A popular science experiment in schools involves attaching an electrode to the lemon and using it as a battery to power a light. The electricity generated in this way can also power a small motor. These experiments also work with other fruits and vegetables.
- Lemon hair lightener - Lemon juice applied to the hair is a natural hair lightener.
- Insecticide - The D-limonene in lemon oil is used as a non-toxic insecticide treatment. See orange oil.
Lemon alternatives
Several other plants have a similar taste to lemons. In recent times, the Australian bush food Lemon myrtle has become a popular alternative to lemons.[6] The crushed and dried leaves and edible essential oils have a strong, sweet lemon taste, but contain no citric acid. Lemon myrtle is popular in foods that curdle with lemon juice, such as cheesecake and ice cream. Limes are often used instead of lemons.
Many other plants are noted to have a lemon-like taste or scent. Among them are Cymbopogon (lemon grass), Lemon balm, Lemon thyme, Lemon verbena, Scented geraniums, certain cultivars of basil, and certain cultivars of mint.
Production trends
According to FAO, Mexico produced almost 12% of the global output of lemons and limes in 2005 followed by India, Argentina, Iran and Brazil.
References
- ^ Paola Lanzara and Mariella Pizzetti Simon & Schuster's Guide to Trees pp. 44. A Fireside Book Published by Simon & Schuster, INC.
- ^ *[1]
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Lemon oil vapor causes an anti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice". PubMed.gov. 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ *Lemon Myrtle
- Lemon Herbs
- Lemon heath benefits
- Andrew M. Watson, 1983. Agricultural Innovation in the Early Islamic World: The Diffusion of Crops and Farming Techniques, 700-1100. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) pp 42-50
- About the Lemon [2]
External links
- (Purdue University) Morton, Julia F. 1987. "Lemon". pp. 160–168, in Fruits of warm climates. (Julia F. Morton, Miami)
- PlantFiles: Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer'