Lemons are one of nature’s best gifts. These beautiful yellow fruits are packed full of flavor that has long been the backbone for many different cuisines. For most lemons is a slight sweetness with a powerful sourness in every drop. Lemons are often used to create brightness in food that might otherwise be dull and to balance out sweet dishes.
Lemons are unique in that they are super common in both sweet and savory dishes. Many cuisines possess lemons in many of their most classic dishes. These lemons will vary around the globe and can be found in so many forms with so many beautiful variations. There is much more than conventional supermarket lemons.
We will walk you through some of our favorite lemon tree varieties and help you decide if you want to grow some or not. Depending on where you are located, you might be able to grow your tree outside. If you are in the UK or colder parts of North America or Europe you might want to consider growing it inside.
Lemon trees love warm climates and so need to live above a certain temperature year-round in order to thrive. Lemon trees love tropical conditions that aren’t limited to any specific region, though they are known for their growth in Italy, China, The United States, and Australia. You’ll be blown away by the global variety!
In any case, follow us along our journey of uncovering different lemon tree varieties with all of the lemon species you can think of. Have a look and see what ones are most appealing to you depending on your tastes and cooking tendencies.
Lisbon Lemons
These are the conventional lemons that you can find all over the world. Though the name might not be familiar with the name you will certainly be familiar with their look and flavor. They tend to have thin rinds, though some come out slightly thicker, and their color is like a fully radiant sun.
Lisbon lemons are tart but not overly so. The zest from their skins is a favorite to use in marinades, as well as the peel being used in cocktails. They are able to grow in different parts of the world and don’t have super specific condition requirements.
These lemon trees are not very cold hardy. This means they aren’t ideal candidates to be subjected to cold European winters. However, they can be planted in large pots and kept inside during colder times of the year. Transport them outside during sunny times and they should still bear some fruit!
Eureka Lemons
Eureka Lemons are probably the second most popular lemon in the world. They have a similarly radiant yellow color, though it can sometimes be slightly more pale than Lisbon Lemons. The key difference is that their skin is thicker than Lisbon lemons, making them ideal for peeling and zesting.
Eureka lemons have a similar profile when it comes to growing. You’ll want to ensure you can keep them in a relatively warm place year-round. Eureka lemons are lovely when added to cocktails for their wonderful bright zing. Adding some fresh Eureka lemon juice to any sour cocktail will help to bring the flavor!
Meyer Lemon
Meyer lemons are wildly popular lemons and can probably be considered the third most popular variety of the lovely yellow fruit. Meyer lemons reportedly originated in China though, as the name suggests, it has become popular in the Western world. This variety has become really popular in lots of culinary uses.
This lemon is apparently technically a hybrid fruit and not a “true” lemon. Their naturally higher sweetness has made them popular in sweet dishes. Lemon souffle, lemon meringue pie, and tarte citron all tend to utilize Meyer lemons. They are also one of the favorite choices for a lemonade!
Also Read - Types of Lime Tree - From Key Limes to Persian Lime
Villafranca Lemon
Vilafranca lemons, also known as Sicilian lemons are the pride and joy of the Italian Island. This little island has had such an incredible impact on global culture from food, wine, cinema, and not to mention the influx of Sicilians in New York! Sicilian lemons are slightly larger and more mellow in flavor, making them a beautiful contribution to so many dishes.
Limoncello is the most famous horse on which the Villafranca Lemon rides. The classic Italian digestif has been served after so many delicious, long Italian meals. These Sicilian lemons are beautiful additions to risotto dishes and particularly pasta dishes for their beautiful brightness and mellow sourness.
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We hope you have enjoyed reading a bit about our list of different lemon tree varieties and some of the beautiful ranges we have in our natural world. Remember, it is definitely preferable to grow lemons inside if you don’t have year-round sun. Have a look at our website for some great indoor plants and outdoor plants.