Lemon, common name for a small subtropical
plant, and for its fruit. Lemon trees are cultivated throughout
the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly
in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and California. Lemons were first
brought from the Middle East to Spain and northern Africa during
the Middle Ages. The cultivated lemon is probably a hybrid of
two wild species, most likely lime and citron obviously where
the lemon got its name.
Lemon trees grow to be about 3 to 6 m tall and are sparsely
covered with foliage. Lemon flowers have a sweet odour
comparable to the odour of orange flowers.
Lemons are popular for their juice and their citric acid, which
may amount to 5 percent or more by weight of the lemon's juice.
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and contains smaller amounts of
the B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, and niacin.
Lemon juice is a characteristic ingredient in many pastries,
desserts and Asian dishes. The astringent, distinctive flavor of
the fruit is also used to enhance many poultry, fish, and
vegetable dishes worldwide.