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A lot has been written about the benefits of lemons: the list of references includes both works of fiction and scientific reports. Every part of the fruit is suitable for use. Lemon juice and pulp, which have beneficial properties, are used internally and externally. Zest and candied fruits are made from the peel; they have become indispensable ingredients for baking and making desserts. Is lemon a fruit or a vegetable? This question seems strange only at first glance.
Lemon is a fruit, vegetable or berry
Not everyone thinks about the origin of this unique citrus. It turns out that debate about its belonging to one of the groups of the generally accepted classification has continued for many years. There are special theories whose supporters classify lemon as one of the types.
Lemon is considered to be a fruit. Perhaps this is due to its citrus origin. Citrus fruits are considered an addition to the dessert table. In fact, citrus fruits go well with meat and fish dishes: lemon cannot be considered a fruit based on such a single feature.
Of course, lemon is not a vegetable. According to the accepted classification, it does not develop as a root crop or a vegetable crop with a developed aerial part.Lemon grows on a tree, which classifies it as a fruit and berry crop. All citrus fruits belong to the orange subfamily. This is a class of dicotyledonous plants whose fruits are hybrid species. Lemon can be classified as a modified berry based on the characteristics of the fruit.
The history of lemon
The oldest citrus fruit on the planet, contrary to common misconception, is the citron. On its basis, thanks to natural changes in climatic conditions, lemon appeared. Citron is still successfully cultivated in the Chinese provinces and along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lemon was discovered by the Arabs. Scientists suggest that India became the birthplace of this citrus. From there the fruit was brought to Pakistan, and then it came to the countries of the Middle East. The first records about him were found among the books of Arab traders; they date back to the 8th century.
Europeans learned about citrus fruits in the 11th century. They were brought from China. The French were among the first to try fruit lemonade. In the 12th century. it began to be sold everywhere. Lemons appeared in America thanks to Christopher Columbus, who brought them there on a ship from Spain.
Later everyone learned about lemons in Russia. Under Peter I, the tree was brought from Holland and successfully rooted in the soils of the Caucasus.
What does a lemon look like?
The fruit lemon tree on which citruses grow reaches 5 - 8 m in height. This is an evergreen plant, the leaves on it last for 12 months, then gradually change to new leaf blades. The average lifespan of a tree is 30 years.
The crown of an adult tree takes on a pyramidal shape. The leaves that form it stretch up to 10 - 15 cm, reaching 5 - 8 cm in width. They have a glossy, rich green surface. The reverse side can be matte or lighter. The characteristic feature of the leaves is their lemon aroma. When you rub the leaf between your fingers, it becomes more noticeable and sharp.
Flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves. They are solitary and can become creamy or remain white. It depends on the variety.
Lemon is the name given to the tree and its fruit. The fruit is an oval orange. It can grow up to 6 - 9 cm, with a diameter of up to 5 - 6 cm. Both ends of the fruit are slightly elongated, and a dense nipple is formed on one of them.
Description of the fruit:
- The peel may be smooth or covered with small tubercles. It depends on the variety. Under the dense peel lies a layer of white, less dense substance, which is especially valuable for use for medicinal purposes;
- The color of the peel varies from light yellow to bright yellow. Thanks to the shade of the peel, a special definition of the color scheme emerged: “lemon”;
- The pulp is divided into segments, this is a feature of the internal structure of the fruit. The segments contain hairs that are filled with lemon juice. In addition, the pulp contains seeds. The number of seeds depends on the variety and varietal characteristics. There are varieties that are not propagated by seed. Lemon pulp is known for its distinct taste, as well as its high juice content.
The tree begins to bloom in the spring, the fruits are formed in the summer, and reach technical ripeness in the fall.
Where do lemons grow, in which countries?
Lemons can be grown in greenhouse conditions; they grow on glassed-in balconies where it is constantly cold in winter. But the natural conditions for full fruit formation have a narrow climatic range. Lemons are suitable for coastal areas with moist soils and cool sea air. The acidity of the soil in which citrus will be comfortable should be in the range from 5.5 to 6.5 pH.
At air temperatures below -6 °C, trees freeze and stop bearing fruit. Suitable for the growth and development of citrus fruits are:
- Italy (especially its eastern part - Sicily);
- Spain;
- Greece;
- Northern and Southern Cyprus;
- Türkiye.
On the island of Sicily, lemons are grown in a special way. For the past seven decades, local growing companies have used a special method that allows them to harvest twice a season. To do this, trees stop being watered in the summer. The dry period lasts about 60 days, then an active solution of nitrogen-containing complexes is added to the root. This provokes abundant flowering of trees followed by autumn-winter fruiting. This method is only suitable for use in the Mediterranean Sicilian climate. This technology does not bear fruit in other countries.
Where do lemons grow in Russia?
In Russia, lemon trees are successfully cultivated on the Black Sea coast. There are private plantations in the South Caucasus where lemons are grown using the trench method. This method helps prevent freezing of the root system during the formation of return frosts and the onset of abnormally low temperatures.
In the territory of the former USSR, citrus trees successfully winter and bear fruit in Tajikistan, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.
How does a lemon grow?
Typically, lemons are propagated by planting seedlings of the selected variety. When the trees reach a height of 25 - 30 cm, agricultural technicians begin to systematically form the crown. To do this, pinch the top, activating the growth of lateral branches. Then pinching is repeated after the next 25 - 30 cm. The peculiarity of this species lies in its constant growth. The development of a tree never stops.
After the fruits appear, harvesting begins at the earliest stage of their ripeness. This is due to the fact that lemons ripen during transportation and can be stored for a long time. Green fruits can be stored for about 4 months, and the degree of ripeness can be controlled. Additional exposure to ethylene accelerates ripening.
When does a lemon ripen?
The regular lemon tree begins to bloom in the spring. It lasts for several weeks, then the fruits begin to ripen. As a rule, harvesting is carried out in the summer, but the fruits reach full ripeness in the fall. Lemons in many areas are picked light green or pale yellow. Fruits that are firm to the touch and covered with a smooth yellow skin are considered ripe.
If the fruit is soft, it means that it is overripe. Unlike most related oranges, the period of lemon ripeness can be delayed for a long period of time. The pulp of an overripe lemon becomes juicier. Overripe lemons can be stored cut for several days. Then the pulp becomes moldy and becomes flabby.
Where is lemon used?
The main area of use for lemons was cooking.The fruit consists of 60% pulp, 40% is the peel. The special taste and ability of lemon juice to affect foods makes the fruits indispensable in the preparation of any dishes:
- the pulp and juice are used for salads as a dressing and additional ingredient; juice is used for marinating meat, fish, poultry;
- lemon juice plays a special role in the preparation of desserts: it is added to improve the taste of creams, mousses, jellies and puddings;
- The zest is used to prepare a variety of baked goods; there are various recipes for lemon pies, cakes and pastries.
Lemon juice occupies a special place in the preparation of drinks; it is mixed with alcohol. Lemonade is prepared from the pulp, which is a liquid that perfectly quenches thirst.
For medical purposes, the chemical composition of the fruit is important. The content of vitamin C makes it useful for vitamin deficiencies, colds, and anemia of various types.
All parts of the fruit are used to prepare cosmetic recipes. Pulp extracts and oil extracts are used by well-known pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. They produce products for the face, hair and body. Due to the content of tannins, the fruit has whitening properties, which is in demand in the preparation of special masks for facial skin. The aroma of lemon has become one of the basic components in the manufacture of perfume, aromatic oils and candles. This smell is recognizable and loved by many.
The tandem of lemon juice, soda and vinegar makes the fruits indispensable in everyday life. Mixtures based on these components can clean kitchen utensils to a shine. Many housewives still use the juice of the fruit to whiten things. This is an alternative to chemical compounds that works effectively and does not cause harm.
Conclusion
Is a lemon a fruit or a vegetable: this question arises for many who think about the identity and classification of fruits. For many, it is a misconception to classify lemon as a fruit due to the presence of juicy fruits. The hybrid citrus, which the modified berry has become, occupies a special place in the life of a modern person.
