Nature has gifted us with lemons, which are considered among the most refreshing fruits.
They’re tart, acidic, fragrant, and bursting with vitamin C.
But they also have a rich history in both culinary and medicinal arts.
Whether you’d like to know how to make a tasty lemon pie or just what it means when your doctor tells you that “you need to drink more water,” this article will answer all those questions and more.
What is the best way to cook a lemon?
The best way to cook a lemon depends on the type of flavor you’re looking for.
If you want a tangy, fresh taste, then you should slice up a lemon, squeeze out the juice, toss it in a bowl with salt, and let it soak for at least 10 minutes before serving.
This recipe works well if you want something that can be eaten as soon as possible.
You can even add a little sugar if you want to sweeten it up a bit.
If you want to make a dish that tastes great after sitting around awhile (like lemon meringue pie), then you’ll want to cook the lemon whole.
The longer it sits, the drier it gets, so for this kind of cooking, you’ll want to peel the lemon first, cut it into wedges, and then place them in a baking dish.
Bake the lemon wedges until they’re cooked through, but still juicy.
If you don’t want to bake your lemon wedges, you can always boil them instead.
What are the benefits of eating lemons?
One of the main reasons people enjoy lemons is because of their high acidity level.
Acidic foods break down food residue and help cleanse the body of toxins.
Lemons contain two types of acids — citric acid and malic acid — which work together to create a balanced pH level in the body.
Citric acid helps prevent tooth decay, while malic acid has been found to boost energy levels by improving metabolism.
What are some creative ways to use lemons?
You can use lemons in lots of different ways, from making drinks to adding zest to recipes.
Here are a few ideas:
- Add 1/4 cup lemon juice to plain Greek yogurt and eat it for breakfast.
- Squeeze half a lemon over a glass of sparkling water and sip it throughout the day.
- Make a refreshing cocktail using 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Combine 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of honey to make a simple syrup.
- Mix 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to make a refreshing lemonade.
What is the nutritional value of a lemon?
In general, lemons are very nutritious.
One medium-sized lemon contains only 15 calories, no fat, and 11 grams of fiber.
It also provides a significant amount of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, folate, and manganese.
What is the history of the lemon?
It’s thought that lemons originated somewhere between India and China.
There are several theories as to why lemons spread to Europe and North Africa, but we’ll leave that up to historians.
Since lemons were introduced to European countries, they’ve become a staple of cuisine there.
In fact, many believe that the word “lemon” comes from the Arabic word limon, meaning “the fruit of the sea.”
How do lemons compare to other citrus fruits?
Lemon and orange belong to the same family of citrus fruits.
Citrons, however, are a separate species.
Most people think that oranges are sour, but they actually have a much sweeter flavor than lemons.
They also provide more vitamin A per serving than either lemon or lime.
How do lemons compare to other citrus fruits?
Key Lime
This tropical fruit is native to Mexico and Central America, where it was used to treat dengue fever.
It’s also known as the “Mexican orange” and “key lime pie.”
“Key limes” are usually smaller than regular limes and have thicker skin.
They’re grown primarily in Florida and Hawaii.
Lime
This popular fruit is often confused with grapefruit because they look similar.
Limes are oval-shaped, green fruits that are slightly larger than a lime.
They’re native to Southeast Asia and are sometimes called “Chinese limes” or “Persian limes.”
Orange
This bright yellow fruit is native to southern Asia, although it’s now cultivated in many parts of the world.
Orange juice is made from these fruits, and they’re commonly used in desserts.
Grapefruit
These round fruits are native to South America and are sometimes referred to as “marooned grapefruits.”
How do lemons compare to other citrus fruits?
Pomelo
This large fruit looks like a cross between a pomegranate and a grapefruit.
It’s native to southeast Asia, although now it’s widely cultivated in Taiwan and China.
What are some fun facts about lemons?
Here are some interesting facts about lemons:
- There are over 40 different varieties of lemons available worldwide.
- The largest lemon ever recorded weighed 18 pounds and was grown in Italy in 1785.
- Sour lemons are not the result of a bad batch of lemons. Instead, they’re created intentionally. Sour lemons are considered to be a delicacy in Turkey and Lebanon.
- Lemons were once believed to cure scurvy.
- Lemons were once used as currency in Egypt.
- The U.S. Army planted lemon trees in Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis to provide a source of Vitamin C.
- People who live near the ocean are more likely to develop scurvy.
- Lemons are the only citrus fruit that does not have seeds.
- Some scientists believe that the name “lime” came from the Latin word “limus,” which means “to shine.”
What are some common uses for lemons?
Lemons are used in a wide variety of dishes.
Some of the most common ways to use lemons include:
Adding lemon juice and zest to water to make a refreshing beverage.
Making a simple syrup by combining 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of honey.
Combining 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to make a refreshing lemonade.
Combining 4 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to make a base for vegetable soup.
Combining 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg to make a spice cake.
Using lemons in place of vinegar when preparing salad dressings.
Substituting lemons for oranges in recipes for tarts and cakes.
Mixing lemon peel, lemon juice, lemon pulp to Ham and Goodys Lemon Cookies Recipe
Using lemons in place of limes in marinades, sauces, and cocktails.
Adding lemons to fish dishes.
Combining lemons with mint to make a refreshing sorbet.
Drizzling lemon slices over ice cream, pancakes, and waffles.
Combining lemons with blueberries for a refreshing dessert.
For more information about lemons and other citrus fruits, visit the links on the next page.
Ham and Goodys lemon cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 lg juiced lemon with pulp and grated peeling
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup palm sugar
- 1 cup unsalted softened butter
Instructions
- Mix the flour with the baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Mix sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice, lemon pulp, and butter in another bowl. Once well combined, add the dry ingredients into the mixture.
- Divide the cookie dough into two equal parts and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Put the wrapped door into the freezer for an hour.
- Pro tip: You can make the cookie dough weeks ahead and store it in the freezer.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Take the cookie dough out of the freezer and cut it into any shape you like. You can use a cookie mold to achieve perfect shapes.
- Place the cut-out shapes on a silicone mat or parchment paper and put them in the preheated oven. Allow the cookies to bake for up to 9 minutes.
- Once the 9 minutes are over, remove the Ham and Goodys lemon cookies from the oven and place them on a rack to cool.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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