Meyer lemon
Citrus × meyeri, the Meyer lemon, is a hybrid citrus fruit native to China. It is a cross between a citron and a mandarin/pomelo hybrid distinct from the common or bitter oranges. Mature trees are around 6 to 10 ft tall with dark green shiny leaves. Flowers are white with a purple base and fragran…
Are Meyer lemons sweeter than regular lemons?
The flesh and juice are sweeter than a regular lemon and can be used raw or cooked. Because the peel is thin and lacking in a thick, bitter pith, the whole lemon (minus the seeds) can be used. Because Meyer lemons are considered a specialty item, they can be up to twice the price of regular lemons.
Why are lemons so expensive Right Now?
Higher temperatures in California, where much of the United States' lemon supply is grown, caused wholesale prices of lemons to nearly double. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported wholesale prices of lemons ranging between $53 and $64 in various markets across the U.S. in early August, which is $5 more than it was in July.
Can you use Meyer lemons without the Peel?
Because the peel is thin and lacking in a thick, bitter pith, the whole lemon (minus the seeds) can be used. Because Meyer lemons are considered a specialty item, they can be up to twice the price of regular lemons. Wash and dry the lemons before using them.
Are Meyer lemons still in season?
Meyer lemons are still in season, so it’s high time to buy them while you can—and find out why they’re considered so much better than regular lemons in the first place.
What is so special about Meyer lemons?
Meyer lemons are rounder, smoother, and more orange in color than standard lemons. Their thin skin ranges from dark yellow to rich egg yolk, and their inner skin is a deep yellow. Additionally, Meyer lemons have barely any pith.
Do Meyer lemons taste different than regular lemons?
Taste – While they're moderately acidic, Meyer lemons don't have the same tang as regular lemons. Instead, they're much sweeter — so much so that some people enjoy adding the raw segments to their salads or desserts.
Can you substitute Meyer lemons for regular 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.
When should I buy Meyer lemons?
The natural growing season for Meyer lemons is from the middle of winter to the end of the spring. This is the best time possible to get Meyer lemons, but that doesn't mean you can't get them year-round.
Is Meyer lemon healthy?
Citrus fruits have a distinctive nutrition profile, and Meyer lemons are no exception! They are high in vitamin C, folate, and phytonutrients called flavanones, which have antioxidant and anticancer properties.
What is better Eureka or Meyer 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.
Should I refrigerate Meyer lemons?
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. If you really want your lemons to last, pop them in a sealed container (there are even specialty produce keepers for this purpose) or a zip-top bag.
Where are Meyer lemons grown?
Meyer lemon trees flourish in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, which are regions on the southern coastal margins and deep southern half of the US.
Can you eat a Meyer lemon like an orange?
If you're unfamiliar with the citrus fruit, they're basically a cross between a regular lemon and an orange, meaning you won't pucker your lips too much if you bite into one. Because of their even blend of sweetness and tartness, they can be used in so many recipes, both food and drink, and sweet and savory.
How much do Meyer lemons cost?
Meyer Lemons by the PoundItem #:855-03Reg. Price:$5.99Our Price:$5.99 /lbWeight* -- 1/4 1/2 3/4 /lbSPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS3 more rows
What is the best lemon?
1. Meyer Lemon. The famous favorite. The Meyer Lemon Tree is probably what comes to mind when you think of versatile indoor or outdoor growth and amazing, easy-to-grow flavor.
How long do Meyer lemons last in the refrigerator?
2. Store lemons in the refrigerator. Whole lemons can last for a month in the refrigerator if you store them in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer.
Can you eat a Meyer lemon like an orange?
If you're unfamiliar with the citrus fruit, they're basically a cross between a regular lemon and an orange, meaning you won't pucker your lips too much if you bite into one. Because of their even blend of sweetness and tartness, they can be used in so many recipes, both food and drink, and sweet and savory.
What is the best lemon?
1. Meyer Lemon. The famous favorite. The Meyer Lemon Tree is probably what comes to mind when you think of versatile indoor or outdoor growth and amazing, easy-to-grow flavor.
What is a Meyer lemon crossed with?
It is a cross between a citron and a mandarin/pomelo hybrid. Meyer lemon.
What are the juiciest lemons?
From all the types of lemons you could choose, Meyer lemons will be among the juiciest you could find. Better yet, they produce fruit all year, which means they're always in season.
Buying, Cooking, and Recipes
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
What Are Meyer Lemons?
Meyer lemons are believed to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. The fruit is about the size of a lemon, sometimes slightly smaller, with a smooth, deep yellow peel. When mature, the thin peel can be almost orange. The flesh and juice are sweeter than a regular lemon and can be used raw or cooked.
How to Cook With Meyer Lemons
Wash and dry the lemons before using them. The zest can be used by grating with a Microplane grater or carefully peeled with a sharp knife or peeler. The peel on Meyer lemons is much thinner than regular lemon peel, so peel carefully to avoid puncturing the fruit.
What Do Meyer Lemons Taste Like?
Meyer lemons taste similar to regular lemons but with a sweeter, more floral taste. They have a lighter dose of acidity and a thin peel and lack the sharp tang and bitterness of a typical lemon. The flavor can taste a little like a sour lemon mixed with a juicy orange. When ripe, they have a citrusy, spiced aroma.
Meyer Lemon Recipes
Much like standard lemons, Meyer lemons can be used in a variety of ways. 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.
Where to Buy Meyer Lemons
Meyer lemons aren't as widely available as regular lemons. Because of their thin peel, they don't travel as well and are more widely available in citrus-growing regions. Still, some specialty and organic markets carry Meyer lemons, especially during the winter months, and you can sometimes find them directly from the grower online.
How to Store Meyer Lemons
For best results, store fresh Meyer lemons in a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Depending on how fresh they are, they will keep for a week or more. Kept at room temperature, the lemons will stay fresh for a few days.
What Do Meyer Lemons Taste Like?
The most apparent and important difference when it comes to using each type of lemon is the taste. Conventional lemons (which are generally either Eureka lemons or Lisbon lemons, essentially interchangeable) are tart enough to make your mouth pucker up.
Do Meyer Lemons Look Different?
Before lemons became a culinary crop, they were grown as ornamental plants, which makes sense when you behold a beautiful tree hung with bright citrus fruit. When you gaze at the fruit itself, you can see that Meyer lemons are smaller, often rounder, and smoother-skinned than their more common oblong and frequently-bumpy cousins.
When Are Meyer Lemons in Season?
The other thing that makes Meyer lemons so attractive is that they’re comparatively elusive. Meyer lemon season usually begins in late November or early December and ends by March.
What Can You Substitute for Meyer Lemons?
So, what can you do if you want to make a Meyer lemon recipe and you don’t have any of the titular ingredient on hand (and are fresh out of Meyer lemon infused products in your pantry too)? Substitute a mix of equal parts regular fresh lemon juice and orange or tangerine juice; the latter is a bit more complex and floral.
Meyer Lemon Recipes (and Regular Lemon Recipes Too)
Try some of these sunny recipes to spark your imagination—and your taste buds.
Meyer Lemon Thyme Icebox Cake
This beautiful icebox cake is simple to make, although if you’re feeling extra ambitious, try swapping in our Meyer Lemon Black Pepper Cookies for the store-bought lemon or vanilla wafers. They’ll add another layer of savory-sweet intrigue to the fabulously fragrant cake. Get the Meyer Lemon Thyme Icebox Cake recipe.
Meyer Lemon Tart
A lightly salted shortbread crust and a dash of honey in the filling are unexpectedly brilliant complements to this sweet and floral Meyer lemon tart. Get the Meyer Lemon Tart recipe.
What Is A Meyer Lemon?
Meyer lemons are typically recognized as the combination between a citron and a tangerine. This hybrid originally comes from China, where the fruits are usually implanted in garden pots or ornamental trees.
The Best Meyer Lemon Substitute You Can Find
So, you must have wondered: “Can we use ordinary lemons to use as a substitute for Meyer lemon?” The appropriate response is: it depends on how you need the flavor to be.
What Is The Difference Between Meyer Lemons And Regular Lemons?
There are many differences between Meyer lemon vs regular lemon that can help you separate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
While normal lemons like Lisbon and Eureka are promptly accessible throughout the year, Meyer lemons are more occasional. So, when are Meyer lemons in season? The Meyers lemon season is from December through May.
The Final Words
And that’s all of the best Meyer lemon substitutes! After reading this article, we hope you can understand what to replace with Meyer lemon if there is an out of stock situation.
