Lemon
Citrus limon · Citrus
4 varietiesTop 10 pairings
A small, bright-yellow citrus with flesh so sour it makes the mouth water, and a peel packed with fragrant oil. Juice or zest brightens almost anything, from fish and dressings to curds, sorbets and cordials.
Picking a good onedrag
Heavy, fine-skinned, fragrantLight, shrivelled, moulding
Shop firmEveryday bestThe all-rounder: wedges, juice, zest, marinades, anything that wants a squeeze.
HeftHeavy, but hard right through
SkinStill taut, coarser and thicker
Stem endScar dry, a shade sunken and pale
SmellClear lemon oil once scratched
What you get from one
53%
Edible part
58 g flesh · peel and pips out
109 g
Weight each
each one
44%
Juice
48 g — about 3 Tbsp
Keeping ittap a temperature
A domestic fridge holds it about 2× longer than the counter.
85–95%
Humidity
Ventilated
Airflow