Curiosities
How did the lemon arrive in Sicily?
The mother earth of the lemon is uncertain, while we are familiar with the origins of the Sicilian lemon.
According to historical sources, the citrus fruit was already known in 2000 B.C. by a population living in the Indus Valley.
There are numerous testimonies attesting to the presence of the lemon in East Asian territories such as China, India and Burma.
In ancient Greece it was known as Persian apple and is said to have been introduced by Alexander the Great, who brought lemon plants to Greece following a campaign in Persia.
If you are a fan of myths and legends, read our article in which we tell the ancient stories in which the lemon is the protagonist.
The lemon arrived in Italy between the 11th and 12th centuries as a result of the Crusades. The crusaders brought small lemon trees from the Holy Land to southern Italy and soon the first cultivations of the citrus fruit started in Sicily. Given the high concentration of cultivation in the region, the term 'Sicilian lemon' came into use.
How many varieties of Sicilian lemon exist?
Sicilian lemons are considered among the best in the world. The two most popular lemon varieties in Sicily are the Syracuse Femminello and the Interdonato di Messina PGI.
The name of the first variety is intended to recall the fertility of the plant and the growing area. The Femminello Siracusano plant flowers in three periods of the year, producing fruit with specific characteristics. Depending on the flowering period, three sub-varieties are distinguished from the Femminello Siracusano: the Primofiore, the Bianchetto and Verdello.
The Primofiore variety has a thin skin and a flesh colour ranging from light green to citrine yellow. Characterised by a particularly sour and tart flavour, it is the fruit of the first flowering.
The Bianchetto variety is the second-flowering Femminello lemon and is harvested in spring. The flavour of this variety is more delicate, the skin is semi-smooth and light yellow in colour, and the flesh is citrine yellow.
The third flowering Femminello Siracusano is called Verdello and is the only Sicilian summer lemon. As the name suggests, the Verdello is characterised by a deep green colour.
In the past, the technique of forcing was used to make the plant re-bloom by inducing water stress on the plant. After a month of non-hydration, the plants were watered profusely, inducing re-flowering.
The Interdonato di Messina PGI is a natural hybrid obtained from the union of a citron clone and a lemon clone. The fruit is yellow with green ends. The flesh is also yellow and has a sweet and delicate flavour.
Where is the lemon grown in Sicily?
In Sicily, most lemon cultivations are found in the coastal and hilly areas of the island. Until a few years ago, if you passed through these areas, you could see countless fields used for growing the citrus fruit. Today, many of these fields have been abandoned or converted following the citrus fruit's loss of competitiveness on the market. In recent decades, in fact, the Sicilian lemon trade has been challenged by the lower cost of imported products.
What are the parts of the lemon called?
The lemon consists of several parts.
The pericarp consists of the flavedo, the yellow outer skin, and the albedo, the white inner part of the skin. The endocarp, on the other hand, consists of the pulp, divided into segments, the juice and the seeds.
How do you say lemon in Sicilian?
In Sicilian dialect, the lemon is called lumìe. You may have already heard this word as 'Lumìe di Sicilia' is the name of a work by Luigi Pirandello.
Turn up the volume and play the audio: discover with Paesano how to pronounce the name of the fruit in Sicilian dialect.
What is the difference between lemon and lime?
The first differences that stand out at the sight of the two citrus fruits are their shape and colour.
The lime is smaller in size and green in colour, while the lemon is larger in size and typically yellow in colour.
Differences can also be found in taste. Lime juice is more sour, while lemon juice, having more sugar, is sweeter.
As far as nutritional properties are concerned, apart from the different amount of sugars, the lime has less vitamin C and protein than the lemon, but on the other hand has more carbohydrates and twice as much vitamin A.
Benefits
What are the benefits of lemon?
The lemon contains countless nutritional properties including vitamins A, B and C, fructose, calcium, iron, minerals, carotene and phosphorus. Among its properties, vitamin C stands out the most. In 100 grams of fresh lemon there are about 50 mg of vitamin C.
The lemon is known for its diuretic and astringent properties, and its use in diets is widespread as, thanks to these properties, it helps to slim down and detoxify the body.
Lemon juice, due to its high vitamin C content, helps prevent anaemia and bone and muscle weakness.
The citrus fruit is also an excellent ally for purifying and thinning the blood and assimilating calcium.
Employment
How to use lemon?
When the lemon plant first arrived in Europe, it was used as an ornamental plant before being cultivated. Even today, lemon plants used to decorate and colour rooms can be found in many homes and gardens.
Turning to its fruit, all parts of the lemon can be used for many purposes.
The juice and peel, or zest, of the lemon can be used as a seasoning or condiment to add a touch of freshness to simple and complex dishes.
Lemon juice can also be used to make preserves, syrups and drinks.
Lemon peel can also be used to flavour oil or to create liqueurs.
Our Lemon Paesano liqueur is made from an infusion of Sicilian lemon peels.
Because of its degreasing power, the squeezed lemon can be placed in the dishwasher to eliminate bad odours before it becomes waste. But that's not all, lemon juice is also an excellent ally for cleaning the dishwasher: an empty basket, washing at maximum temperature and a glass of lemon juice poured into the basket will eliminate unpleasant odours. If you don't know how to use this fruit in the kitchen, read our article and prepare your next dish together with Paesano.
How do you store lemons?
All parts of the lemon can be preserved. Below you will find tips on how best to store the citrus fruit.
Contrary to what many people are used to, the lemon, if not too ripe, should be stored outside the fridge. A cool, airy place is ideal for preserving the citrus fruit and keeping its freshness intact.
How do you store the lemon once it has been cut?
Once cut, the lemon can be stored in the refrigerator. It will be necessary to put it in a glass of water with the pulp facing the bottom.
How do you store lemon peel?
Lemon peel can be kept grated or dried.
The grated peel can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container.
If you want to dry the peel, you will need to place it in an oven at 60° for about 2 hours. Once dried, the peels can be stored in food bags or airtight containers.
How do you store lemon juice?
Lemon juice can be stored in the freezer. Simply pour the juice into ice moulds and thaw only as much as necessary from time to time.
