A cross between a lemon and an orange, Meyer Lemons are truly the best of both worlds: sweet and tart. Great in savory dishes as well as desserts. Read on to learn why you need them in your diet.
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Meyer lemons were first introduced to me by my pastry chef cousin who adores them, and rightfully so! A delightful blend of sour and sweet, they are wonderful in both savory dishes and desserts. I love them so much that I planted a Meyer Lemon tree two years ago and I’ve been waiting patiently for it to mature and actually bare fruit. In the meantime, I’ve been buying them up on Good Eggs and have some fantastic recipes for you later in this post.
Lemon Varieties
Lemons are some of the most versatile, fragrant, and beautiful fruits out there. When we hear the word “lemon,” a picture of a round yellow fruit instantly comes to mind! But did you know there are actually 6 different varieties of this beloved fruit?
The different types are as follows: Eureka Lemon, Pink Variegated Lemon, Lisbon Lemon, Primofiori Lemon, Verna Lemon, and the Meyer Lemon.
While all of these lemons have health benefits, I’ll be specifically talking about those of the Meyer lemon today. When we talk about lemons, the most common types are the Lisbon and the Eureka. The Meyer lemon is distinguishable in that it is slightly smaller in size, more round, has thinner skin, and is more seasonal than common lemons.
The Meyer lemon, originating in China, is a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange.
Health Benefits of Meyer Lemons
Take my advice like you do from a friend, not your doctor as I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. However, I have a passion for health and cooking. My hope is to bring you information that will help you live a health-filled life.
Citrus fruits are renowned for their incredibly unique nutritional value! Meyer lemons, like other citrus fruits, are an incredible source of vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids. Flavonoids found in lemons are rich in antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties.
Antioxidants help remove what are called free radicals from the body, which protects your cells from damage!
When regularly consumed, lemons have benefits such as lowering your risk of stroke, lowering your blood pressure, preventing cancer, preventing asthma, and boosting your iron absorption.
Adding lemon to food reduces sodium intake by up to 75%!
Sunkist Growers
A study back in 2015 proved that adding lemon to food reduces sodium intake by up to 75%! It was commissioned by Sunkist Growers, so take it with a grain of salt, but I find this to be true. I love adding lemon juice and zest to my salad dressings, roasted vegetables, and chicken to boost the flavor.
Here are the highlights of the study:
– Adding juice and zest to vegetables can reduce sodium by 75%
-Using lemon juice and zest in salad dressings, certain fish and pork cuts can reduce salt needed by 50%
-A dry rub with lemon zest can reduce sodium by 30% in chicken and beef recipes.
Bottom line is – let’s use more lemon in your cooking to reduce sodium.
For additional reading on the health benefits, see the sources at the bottom of this post.
Cultural Significance
Meyer lemons are a popular type of lemon in the United States. This flavorful fruit has a delicate flavor and originates in China. The Meyer lemon was brought over to the United States from China just over 100 years ago by an explorer named Frank Meyer, for whom it is named.
Harvest, Storage, and Substitutes for Meyer Lemons
Like other lemons, Meyer lemons can be grown year-round under the right conditions. They will not survive multiple touches of frost outdoors, but Meyer lemons can be grown inside when necessary.
That being said, Meyer lemons harvest season is best in the winter and this is when they are most commonly found in stores. When Meyer lemons grow, they start out green and then turn yellow. You will know a Meyer lemon is ripe when it is completely bright yellow.
To store Meyer lemons, the best method is to keep them in the crisper in your refrigerator. While you can store them at room temperature if you plan on using them right away, putting them in your refrigerator in a sealed bag will extend their shelf life. They will be usable for 3-4 weeks using this method.
When trying to find a substitute for Meyer lemons, use half a regular lemon and half an orange, or substitute with common lemons. If there are no lemons available, try using orange, lime, or vinegar for their acidic flavor profile.
How-to use Meyer Lemons and Recipes
While lemons are typically too bitter and sour to eat straight, Meyer Lemons are the exception. Even the peel is edible. Thinly sliced into salads or roasted with chicken is a great way to incorporate the entire fruit into your meal. If eating sliced lemons doesn’t suit you, squeeze the juice into your next salad with some olive oil, salt, pepper and zest. Slice them for lemon-infused water or add them to a cocktail. Use them anyway you would use a regular lemon. Here are some recipes to incorporate Meyer Lemons into your diet:
Roasted Broccoli & Romanesco with Meyer Lemon
Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing
Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing
A lemon-zest infused dressing adorns these gorgeous zucchini ribbons. This zesty zucchini ribbon salad is the perfect side pairing to pasta dishes, or salmon. Vegetarian. Gluten-Free. Raw.
Roasted Broccoli & Romanesco with Meyer Lemon
A lemon-zest infused dressing adorns these gorgeous zucchini ribbons. This zesty zucchini ribbon salad is the perfect side pairing to pasta dishes, or salmon. Vegetarian. Gluten-Free. Raw.
Moreover, for some great resources on Meyer Lemons, click the links below:
Medical News Today, How Can Lemons Benefit Your Health
US Citrus, The History of the Meyer Lemon in America
FGCU Food Forest, Meyer Lemon
