When life gives you lemons, you can create some truly delicious things.

As the weather continues to warm up, a lot of us are ready for flavors that match the feeling of spring. We might turn to the bright taste of citrus in fruit tarts, custards, salads, and fruity drinks like teas and lemonades. One of the most beloved citrus fruits is the lemon. Its intense and punchy flavor brings out a tartness in some of our favorite drinks, desserts, and snacks.

In this blog, we’re deep-diving into the origins, flavor, and trends surrounding this timeless citrus.

Where Are Lemons From?

Lemons have been around for a long time. Mankind began cultivating lemons over 2,000 years ago in Northeast India, specifically in the eastern Himalayan region. People also cultivated lemons in China in 500 BC. They later spread to the Middle East and Mediterranean before traveling to Europe and the Americas.

Today, lemons grow in warm climates around the world. India, Argentina, Spain, Iran, and the United States are all lemon-growing countries. California produces the most lemons in the U.S. Lemons are a common ingredient in a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory.

How Do You Describe How Lemons Taste?

We tend to love lemon for its distinct flavor, but how do you put its taste into words?

Without any additives, natural lemon is a zesty citrus fruit that is sour and tart. A lemon’s flavor can vary depending on the variety of lemon and how it’s extracted. Lemons have a fruity taste, specifically the sharp taste of a citrus fruit. Given that lemons grow on trees, these fruits are also resinous. The terpenes in lemons, like limonene and alpha-terpineol, give lemons piney, peely, and herbal notes.

Some lemons can even be spicy when the flavor compounds adopt a sharp, bergamot-like note.

Popular Varieties Lemon

As we picture lemons, the same image probably comes to mind: a yellow spherical fruit. But there are several kinds of lemons, and each variety has a unique flavor profile.

Some popular varieties of lemon include:

• Eureka Lemon: The Eureka Lemon is the most common lemon variety. We know it for its bright yellow skin, tangy, acidic juice, and classic lemon flavor. This is likely the lemon you encounter most and can easily find in grocery stores.
• Meyer Lemon: This lemon is a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange, giving it a sweeter and less acidic taste. They tend to have a softer, more floral taste.

• Lisbon Lemon: Lisbon lemons are slightly more acidic than Eureka lemons and have a high terpene content that gives them an intense citrus taste

• Ponderosa Lemon: This large, thick-skinned lemon tends to have a milder, less acidic lemony flavor.

Health Benefits of Lemon

The nutrients in lemons have several health benefits. Lemons are high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Some of the health benefits of lemons include:

• Heart Health: Lemons’ high vitamin C content makes them heart-healthy. Recent research concludes that vitamin C is good for the heart. The vitamin C and flavonoids in citrus fruits may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Weight Management: Lemons contain a soluble pectin fiber that expands your stomach and helps you feel fuller for longer. Not many people eat lemons on their own, but lemon juice itself doesn’t contain pectin. Lemon juice drinks might not have the same effect. One of the best ways to consume lemon for weight management is to add lemon to your water.

• Digestive Health: The main fiber in lemons is pectin, and this soluble fiber can improve gut health and slow the digestion of sugars and starches. This may reduce blood sugar levels.

• Increased Iron Absorption: Foods high in vitamin C help the body absorb iron. Adding lemon juice to a salad with leafy greens like spinach can help maximize your iron and vitamin C intake.

• Immune Boosting: Vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons may also help strengthen the immune system and help fight against the common cold and the flu. While vitamin C may not necessarily prevent colds, it shortens the time a cold lasts.

The Current State of Lemons

In recent years, the general public has set its sights on lemons. Today’s consumers are driving demand for fresh produce, health awareness, and culinary trends. As a result, the global lemon industry has been steadily growing.

Because lemon has an iconic taste, it’s become a not-so-secret ingredient in the food and beverage industry. Whether it’s harmonizing the spices in a pasta dish or transforming the flavor of a ready-to-drink tea, lemon packs a powerful punch. 

Lately, lemon is a key ingredient in many RTD drinks. Additionally, it’s a great flavor to pair with botanicals, another trend influencing today’s food and beverage trends.

Current Lemon Trends

Here’s a look at some of the most prominent product innovations and trends involving lemon.

Lemon Protein

The fastest rising consumer need for lemon is protein. Modern consumers are on the hunt for lemon-flavored protein powders, shakes, and bars. Those who eat plant-based and vegan diets are especially fond of this zesty flavor. Lemon protein smoothies can be a great post-workout treat that helps the recovery process.

Social media can drive food and drink trends, too. In the past couple of years, we saw the rise of protein lemonade, a more nutritious take on frosted lemonade, on social media platforms like TikTok.

Plenty of protein products rely on dessert-based flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, or pie. Why not add lemon treats to the mix?

Craft Beverages

The craft beverage scene has been thriving in recent years and is constantly innovating, and lemon is an ingredient creating new opportunities in this space. Lemon-flavored seltzers, sparkling waters, and lemon-infused cold brews are popping up on shelves and in coffee and tea spaces.

Many people are looking for functional and wellness-oriented drinks. More brands are creating lemon-flavored teas, kombuchas, and refresher beverages.

Sustainability and Lemon Byproducts

While people enjoy lemon products, they also need to find a way to consume them responsibly. Lemon is becoming a part of the eco-conscious conversation. As consumers demand more sustainable products, innovators are repurposing lemon byproducts. Lemon growers and manufacturers have begun incorporating commonly discarded ingredients like lemon peels, juice, and pulp. This sustainable approach is benefiting the environment and the bottom line, helping the industry reduce its carbon footprint while delivering more value to consumers.

 

We love lemon, whether it’s in wellness drinks or bringing out the complex flavors in a savory dish. This citrus fruit is proving it’s more than just a flavor; it’s a powerful and dynamic ingredient in everything it’s in.

Want the latest lemon products in your breakroom? Get started with Canteen today.