Meyer Lemons

Willy taught you all about preserved lemons yesterday and mentioned the Meyer lemon, the pride of California citrus. He wasn't kidding when he said they're everywhere; from its reintroduction after being blamed for a citrus disease in the 1950s, it has taken over the winter citrus market.

The Meyer lemon is actually a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange. It's got a slightly orange cast to the zest and the pulp, tends to be juicier and less seedy than a true lemon, and the flesh is softer and less fibrous than a true lemon.



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They are all over the farmers' markets; they're also a very common home
garden tree, so chances are you know someone with a Meyer lemon tree.
If not, take a walk around; there are bound to be Meyer lemons
overhanging the sidewalk in almost any residential area. Only pick what
is clearly public fruit, that which overhangs the public right-of-way;
don't trespass. Choose lemons that are heavy for their size (if you are
picking them, look for a small bulge at the ground end of hanging
fruit; this indicates that the juice is so heavy it is distorting the
shape of the fruit). Surface scrapes are no big deal, but avoid fruit
that has cuts in the skin. Lemons in season (i.e., now) shouldn't cost
more than $1 a pound at the farmers' market.

Meyer lemons make excellent lemonade, they make excellent preserved
lemons, they make excellent Shaker lemon pie. Incidentally, the flavor
of Meyer lemons improves if you halve them and set them on a hot grill
just long enough for them to get some char marks; the smokiness
permeates the juice, which provides a great companion for grilled
chicken.

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