Now that winter is over at last in some countries, we do not have to think about making the old hot lemon drink at night to help rid us of that dreaded cold. Although, do you know or have you any idea how many things we can use a lemon for.

You can use them in literally hundreds of ways. People all over the world enjoy lemon flavored foods and beverages. Lemons have a pleasant aroma; most varieties have a tart taste. They are also rich in vitamin C and contain several B vitamins.

History of the Lemon

Lemons are a type of berry; the fruit measures about seven point six centimeters in length and five centimeters in diameter. The inside of the fruit is divided into several segments; the yellow rind produces spicy oil.

The lemon juice and oil are used in a variety of food products. Lemonade and many other beverages made from the juice. Cakes, cookies, lollies, salads and various fish and meat dishes flavored with the juice and oil. Scent, is made from the oil, and is used in many household cleaning products, such as soap, shampoo, perfume and our own cosmetics.

I believe lemons originated in North Eastern India near the Himalaya. In 1493, the Italian Navigator Christopher Columbus planted the first lemon trees in America.

They're now grown throughout the world, but Italy leads the world in lemon production. Lemon trees can grow up to six or seven meters in height and most varieties covered in thorns, with long green leaves. The large trees produce white fragrant flowers throughout the year. The fruit ripens about seven months after the flower blooms and known to bear fruit for up to fifty years.

Frost can severely damage these trees and often attacked by mites and scale feeding on the leaves and fruit. Thrips attack the buds and the fruit. To help eradicate them make a fly trap, using a protein base of vegemite, vinegar and water, and hang these in and around the trees.

Citrus trees need an open, sunny, and well-drained position, the soil needs enriching with organic matter.

The Eureka is the most popular variety grown in Australian home gardens today. The Lisbon is another one although this one is particularly thorny.

It is advisable to cut fruit rather than pick it, unless you twist it, as straight pulling may leave the button on the tree and allow fungi to enter the fruit. Pick before the rains if possible.

• Add a squeeze of Lemon juice to a cup of tea makes a refreshing drink in the summer
• Salts of lemon will remove rust or ink stains from white fabrics. Put a little on stain, pour boiling water over it, and rinse well.
• Add lemon to water when washing hair, it softens it and helps to remove soap from the hair
• Remove juice from lemons when in season. Place in ice block trays and freeze. Use when needed
• Apply lemon juice to facial blemishes is a popular way for treating acne
• Bleach the color of your skin with lemon juice
• Mix lemon juice with baking soda and use to clean pots and pans
• Use lemon juice to remove rust stains and soap build up.
• Mix lemon juice with olive oil and use instead of furniture polish
• Use lemon to clean and shine brass and copper
• Add lemon juice to your wash it will help remove and brighten your whites
• Use lemon juice to remove soap scum from your bath

Lemon Meringue Pie

Use a short pastry or biscuit crust

Filling

1 cup water, 1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon lemon rind, juice of 1-1/2 lemons

1 heaped tbl cornflour, 2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbl sugar

Directions

Boil 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon rind and juice. In bowl place cornflour and 2 tbls sugar, mix in egg yolks and 1/4 cup of water. Stir into boiling mixture and return onto stove top on gentle heat until this thickens, stirring all the time. Pour this mixture into pastry case and top with the meringue made from the egg whites beaten with the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook in oven until lightly brown.

Recipe

Lemon butter

259 gr Butter

4 med eggs

500 gr sugar

Rind of 3 Lemons

Juice of 4 lemons

Place sugar and butter into saucepan on stove, and stir until clear. Add yolks and whites of 2 well-beaten eggs, juice and grated rind of lemons. Stir until looks like honey.