Lemon
The lemon has been cultivated in Asia for more than 2,500 years. The Arabs first introduced the fruit in Spain during the 11th century.
It first appeared on this side of the Atlantic Ocean during Christopher Columbus's second trip to Haiti in 1493.
The size and sourness of the lemon vary according to the variety. Today, the lemons found in stores are picked green and are then ripened artificially in warehouses. If they were picked at maturity, lemons would be too sweet and they would lose their acidity.
- Choose a lemon that is firm and heavy for its size. The skin should be finely grained and a beautiful, bright yellow in colour
- Traces of green on a lemon indicate a higher level of acidity.
- Immersing a slightly wrinkled lemon in warm water for approximately 30 minutes will bring the fruit back to form.
- To obtain more juice from your lemon, warm it by rolling it between your hands, cover it with boiling water or place it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Use the lemon to make refreshing lemonade or flavoured tea.
- Grate, cut or candy the peel to add flavour to desserts, drinks and other dishes.
- When making vinaigrette, replace white vinegar with lemon juice. Lemon juice contains more nutritional elements than vinegar. The vinaigrette is instantly lighter, more refreshing and more nutritional.
- To cook fish without using heat, marinate the fish for an extended period in lemon or lime juice like you would a ceviche.
- To freeze the juice of a lemon, pour the juice in an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. Once solid, transfer the cubes into a freezer bag. Each cube is equivalent to the juice of approximately one lemon.
 Bing Cherry Lemonade |
 Scallops with Lemon and Maple Syrup Dressing |
 Sunkist® Lemon Crispy Chicken |
 Cranberry-Raspberry and Lemon Cream Trifle |
 Pan-fried Halibut with Lemon-chive Hollandaise |
Lemons are available year-round in METRO supermarkets.
The lemon is the citrus fruit which has the lowest energy value.
Ounce for ounce, the lemon is as rich in vitamin C as the
orange.
Lemons can be kept at room temperature for about one week. To
extend the lemon’s storage life, wrap it in a paper towel and place
it in a plastic bag. A lemon can last 3 months stored in the dark
environment of your refrigerator?s fruit drawer.
For delicious lemon recipes, click on metro.ca.
For delicious lemon recipes, click on metro.ca.