Thought to be a cross between traditional lemons and mandarin oranges, Meyer lemons are less acidic, a bit more herbaceous, and sweeter than their normal lemon counterparts. A perfect addition to desserts and even salads, Meyer lemons are an ideal swap for really any of our favorite lemon desserts.
What kind of lemon do you use for baking?
Meyer Lemons – Meyer lemons are actually a cross between a citron and a mandarin orange, which is what makes them sweeter than your typical lemon. These are my favorite lemons and the ones I typically use to cook with.
What is the best lemon for cooking?
Chefs and home cooks alike praise Meyer lemons for their thin, fragrant skin and sweet flesh. Learn how this citrus differs from regular lemons, and the best ways to enjoy the flavor.
Are Meyer lemons better baking?
The answer is: it depends. Because Meyer lemons have a sweeter, more floral flavor than regular lemons, they make an excellent substitute for regular lemons in dessert recipes.
Which is better Meyer or Eureka lemon?
Eureka lemons, which are the kind you’re most likely to find in your grocery store, have a sour, tangy flavor. By comparison, Meyer lemons are more fragrant and a touch sweeter. Their brightly colored skin is smoother and more vibrant than that of Eureka lemons, which is thicker and textured.
What is a Meyer lemon used for?
The peel can be candied or zested into sweet and savory dishes. The juice can be used to make lemonade, cocktails, or in baking or cooking to brighten up a dish. The whole fruit can be chopped and added to chutneys or marmalade, or sliced and added to salads, baked goods, or seafood.
Can you use regular lemons in place of Meyer lemons?
Yes, in most cases. Both Meyer lemons and regular lemons can be used in the same ways. You can juice them for cocktails, spritzers, or a vinaigrette, and use the pulp or zest for an array of sweet and savory dishes alike. Just remember that regular lemons lack the sweetness of Meyer lemons.
Why are Meyer lemons so expensive?
Meyer lemon season usually begins in late November or early December and ends by March. Their limited window of availability, coupled with their more fragile nature (which makes shipping them more difficult), naturally makes them more expensive than hardier, year-round regular lemons too.
How do I substitute Meyer lemons?
If you can’t find them in the store, substitute regular lemons, but be sure to taste for sugar, as a recipe made for Meyer lemons may be too tart otherwise. A splash of orange juice helps correct regular lemon flavor for a Meyer lemon recipe.
What are the tastiest lemons?
The most renowned sweet lemon is the Meyer lemon, a citrus fruit native to China deemed to be a hybrid between a true lemon and a mandarin or common orange. It was brought to the US in 1908 by agriculturalist Frank Nicholas Meyer.
What is the best lemon tree to buy?
Across the country, the Meyer Lemon Tree is the most popular choice. It is a sweet version of a lemon, with thin skin and fragrant blossoms. You can use Meyer lemons in any recipe that you would use a regular lemon, with the amount of sugar reduced to account for the sweetness that the Meyer brings.
What type of lemon is sold in stores?
The most common types of lemons found in grocery stores include Lisbon lemons, Eureka lemons, Meyer lemons, and Bearss lemons, per US Citrus. Though each variety has similar base flavors, there are a few slight differences that set them apart. Lisbon lemons are what we typically picture when we think of lemons.
Can you eat Meyer lemons like an orange?
A cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, the Meyer lemon has thin, smooth skin, ranging in color from yellow to orange. Meyer lemons may be eaten entirely, peel included, because they don’t have the thick layer of bitter white pith found in regular lemons.
Which lemon tree produces all year round?
Eureka
‘Eureka’ is a favourite because it fruits all year. Meyer lemon, which bears abundant, juicy and slightly sweeter lemons is the most cold-tolerant.
What is the sweetest lemon tree?
The Ujukitsu is a sweet lemon plant from Japan that was developed by Dr. Tanaka in the 1950s. It is sometimes called the ‘lemonade fruit’ in reference to its sweeter, almost lemonade flavor. A USDA Research Center called Rio Farms brought this sweet lemon to the United States.
What can you do with Eureka lemons?
Eureka lemons can be used in any recipe calling for common tart lemons. The acidic fruits can also be dried and ground into a seasoning or canned or preserved for extended use.
Should I refrigerate Meyer lemons?
Left at room temp, lemons will dry out leaving you with less juice and a tough rind. Lemons are best kept in the fridge—period. Stashed in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf, fresh lemons will keep for two weeks or more.
What is a cross between an orange and a lemon called?
Meyer lemons (Citrus x meyeri) is a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange. Originally developed in China, the Meyer lemon was introduced to California in 1908.
Can you eat the skin of a Meyer lemon?
Not only are Meyer lemon peels edible, they’re dang delicious when done right. It’s worth noting that it’s best to eat backyard-grown or organic if you plan to eat the peels to minimize your consumption of potentially nasty chemicals.
Why are my Meyer lemons bumpy?
The symptoms of too little phosphorus on a citrus plant are the same as for excess nitrogen – bumpy thick rinds, acidic flavor, and not much juice in the pulp.
How can you tell if a lemon is good?
At their freshest, lemons have a bright yellow rind (with some discolorations and imperfections here and there), sour taste, zesty aroma, and are quite firm to the touch. Over time, they will lose some of the smell, become squishy, and if they sit in storage long enough, slimy.