FoodFood InformationFruitCitrus
Lemons are available year-round. Most are produced in California and
Arizona, but Florida has a small crop that is annually increasing in tonnage.
Due to strict Federal Marketing Orders that restrict the free flow of California
lemons to market, we sometimes import lemons from Spain, Italy, and Chile.
While there are several varieties of lemons, and they sometimes come from
different areas, they are not identified by variety or source at the retail
markets. Most of the California lemons are packed and marketed through a
co-op-Sunkist Growers, Inc.. Their top-quality lemons are individually stamped
with the Sunkist logo. Lemons that don't quite meet their top standards
are shipped to market unbranded. However, the top quality of the independent
growers 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 of
the skin, not by the size of the fruit. As lemons age, the light yellow
color turns to a darker yellow. Some lemons don't pass as #1's if they have
skin blemishes or scars. The color and the clearness of the skin is no clue
to its juice content even though those with blemished skins sell at lower
prices at the wholesale (usually not the retail) level. However, the skin
texture is all-important. The thinner the skin of the lemon (as well as
any other citrus fruit), the higher the juice content. The smaller and medium
sized lemons are usually thinner skinned than the larger sized fruit. The
larger lemons are always more costly by weight than the smaller ones. As
a rule, the less costly smaller lemons are a better buy. Gently rolling
a hard lemon on a table will result in a greater juice yield.
Select firm lemons that feel heavy for the size and thin skinned Reject
those that are light in weight, thick skinned, or are soft or spongy. Lemons
will 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 lemons
and limes are very similar in flavor and texture, the wise shopper will
substitute with whichever is less costly.
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