History of Lemons
Plant Hunters and the Discovery of Lemons
| Ever wonder about the origin of
the lemon you pick up as you shop for the ingredients
to your favorite recipes?
Lemons have a wonderful history and over the centuries
many cultures have adapted lemons and citrus fruits
for a bounty of beneficial uses. We believe that lemons are native to the region of Southeast Asia between India and Southern China. Traders and Botanist alike delighted in discovering and learning the value of lemons. The lemon comes naturally packaged with a durable skin making it practicable for transportation by caravan and sea vessel. You can just hear the merchant exhibiting the “golden
apple” at the marketplace telling of its many uses:
how it flavors and preserves food; heals and soothes
the skin and provides a healthy beverage. Listening
with eager reception, the customers gladly traded fine
cloths, precious metals and artifacts. Citrus traveled
in good company with other produce like figs and material
treasures to Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and routes farther
West. Creating lemon recipes and formulas involves the sciences of botany, chemistry, the study of agriculture, and the fine art of cooking. Applications for the uses of lemons go beyond cooking to include beauty, medicine, health, and environmentally safe cleaning. We will be sharing more information about the history of lemons and their unique contribution to our diet, health, and beauty in the months ahead. |
| Alexander the Great, in the years 336-323 BC,
conquered the known world bringing along scientists and scholars
who shared their knowledge with cultures across the continent
to the Mediterranean Sea. Today, Italy remains the largest grower
of lemons in the world.
Once given as a gift by kings to kings, peoples all across
the continents of Asia, Europe, and Western Worlds share ideas
and create recipes using lemon. |
| For more information about Plant Hunters and Agriculture read this article by Kim Kaplan in HTML or PDF. |