The history of the Lemon and its Many Uses

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By Eileen Hughes


Lemons and their uses

 

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.


Lemon Drink


History and Growth of the Lemon

 

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.

marinade Lemon herb

Great uses for lemons

  • 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

 


Delicious Lemon Recepies

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.

Comments

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rodney southern profile image

rodney southern  says:
3 months ago

Interesting stuff! Great hub

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Thanks for stopping by Rodney

Betty Jo Petty profile image

Betty Jo Petty  says:
3 months ago

Delicious things like this are what Helped make me the diabetic I am today!

Careful on the sugar. Use sparingly. Plus watch all other ingredients for health reasons.

I could have eaten that, were it not just a picture! Lemon pie, my favorite!

How about a sugarless recipe Eileen? Betty Jo

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Thanks Betty, I will have to find one of those just for you. Diabeties is a problem like that. I had a friend, her daughter was giving herself injection from4 years old. And it made me reduce my sugar intake and I have also never given anyone 2 sugars in their cuppa ever since. Guess what no one has complained yet either. Thanks for stopping by.

John Chancellor profile image

John Chancellor  says:
3 months ago

Very interesting. About half way through I got to thinking about lemon ice box pie. A very refreshing dessert in the summer time.

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Ok so dont tease me John. Where is the recipe. Common now. please pretty polease

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m  says:
3 months ago

Great to see so many uses for lemon, my mom used to tell us but we just ignored it. I would love to plant a few lemon trees at least. Lemon Meringue Pie looks colorful must be tasty also. Well done Eileen. Cheers.

marisuewrites profile image

marisuewrites  says:
3 months ago

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Peter Paul and Mary..who could forget ....

I love lemons and their smell is enticing!!   I will try your recipe.  Thnx....marisue

Constant Walker profile image

Constant Walker  says:
3 months ago

Lemon juice, with butter and extra virgin olive oil, is a perfect saute for mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, etc.

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Cgull, yes it s amazing how many things you can use the humble lemon for. And yes mums know everything.

marisuewrites That was a lovely song. and the aroma is very refreshing too.

Constant walker. Thats a knew one on me I will have to try that now. Thanks to all for stopping by to read this

stephhicks68 profile image

stephhicks68  says:
3 months ago

Yummy lemons! My favorite is lemoncello (Italian liquor). Lemon pie is good too, but I'll save my carbs and calories for the drink... LOL

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Whats lemoncello like. Thanks for calling by

white atlantic profile image

white atlantic  says:
3 months ago

simple and useful topic

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Thanks for that. White atlantic

Annette Rozen profile image

Annette Rozen  says:
3 months ago

Its fuinny that i just came across your artuicle. I use lemon to season EVERYTHING and my husband complains im obssesed - from hummus spread to tehina, to quinoa etc. He even had the nerve to make a comment to his mom! I think ill redirect him to this article.

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
3 months ago

Thanks annette you do that, stir him up. Lemon is healthy full of vitamin C. So get stuck into him.... just joking. Thanks for reading my article.

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