Meyer lemons got its name because they were identified in 1908 by Frank N. Meyer, and are thought to be a cross between Eurekas or Lisbons and a mandarin orange and is sweeter than a regular melon.
Today, Meyer lemons are grown commercially in California, Texas, and Florida. They are a challenge to ship and store commercially, so you might not find them very far from where they were grown.
Meyer lemons require more care when shipping and are not widely grown on a commercial basis.
Meyer lemons are generally smaller than regular lemons, with a spherical shape and a thin peel. They tend to be more of a golden colour than a bright yellow.
Since Meyers are a hybrid, they have a different flavour than standard lemons.
Like the other members of the citrus family, lemons contain essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals that may help prevent the development of chronic medical problems. Lemons and lemon peel contain a high concentration of pectin, a type of soluble fiber.
Soluble fiber slows your digestion rate and may suppress your appetite while preventing diabetes by stabilizing your blood sugar levels.
Lemons are particularly rich in the flavanones hesperidin and eriocitrin. Hesperidin may aid in keeping your bones strong and lowering your blood lipid level, while eriocitrin could protect your liver from oxidative damage.
Lemons are also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate. If this is not enough to convince you that lemons are the kings of citrus, they also have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
For the relief of sore throat, try a gargle of equal parts lemon juice and warm water twice a day.
Lemon verbena is good for digestive health, and it is also thought to stimulate brain function when used in aromatherapy.
Lemon balm, lemon mint, lemon thyme, and lemon basil also have a strong lemon scent. This distinctive scent is said to help promote calm and ease anxiety and stress.
