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LEMONS


Lemons are available year-round. Most are produced in California andArizona, but Florida has a small crop that is annually increasing in tonnage.Due to strict Federal Marketing Orders that restrict the free flow of Californialemons to market, we sometimes import lemons from Spain, Italy, and Chile.

While there are several varieties of lemons, and they sometimes come fromdifferent areas, they are not identified by variety or source at the retailmarkets. Most of the California lemons are packed and marketed through aco-op-Sunkist Growers, Inc.. Their top-quality lemons are individually stampedwith the Sunkist logo. Lemons that don't quite meet their top standardsare shipped to market unbranded. However, the top quality of the independentgrowers who are not members of the co-op also arrive to market unbranded.

The quality of lemons is judged by the color, clearness, and texture ofthe skin, not by the size of the fruit. As lemons age, the light yellowcolor turns to a darker yellow. Some lemons don't pass as #1's if they haveskin blemishes or scars. The color and the clearness of the skin is no clueto its juice content even though those with blemished skins sell at lowerprices at the wholesale (usually not the retail) level. However, the skintexture is all-important. The thinner the skin of the lemon (as well asany other citrus fruit), the higher the juice content. The smaller and mediumsized lemons are usually thinner skinned than the larger sized fruit. Thelarger lemons are always more costly by weight than the smaller ones. Asa rule, the less costly smaller lemons are a better buy. Gently rollinga hard lemon on a table will result in a greater juice yield.

Select firm lemons that feel heavy for the size and thin skinned Rejectthose that are light in weight, thick skinned, or are soft or spongy. Lemonswill keep for many weeks if stored in the refrigerator.

Lemons are usually inexpensive in the winter and expensive in the summer.Limes are inexpensive in the summer and expensive in the winter. Since lemonsand limes are very similar in flavor and texture, the wise shopper willsubstitute with whichever is less costly.

Eureka Meyer

Deamer 5/97