A Zest for Life

A Zest for Life

by Rosanna Mignacca

Bright and lovely lemons, like little bursts of citrusy sunshine, are one of the world’s most versatile and nutritious fruits. From savory to sweet, lemons enhance the taste of almost everything. Their unique ability to draw out flavor makes them a favorite addition to fish and meats, but also teas, pies, cakes, candies, fruit dishes, and of course, they are the star ingredient in that warm weather staple, tall cold pitchers of lemonade.

The difference between finding your meal mediocre, or giving it a five-star review, can often be a squeeze or two of fresh lemons. Lemons add zest to a meal, making food taste better, fresher and even look brighter. The lemon is an inherent ingredient of fine cuisine. So much so that professional chefs keep a bowl of them at every workstation, which led to the decor craze of a dish of lemons in every kitchen. But, if you keep lemons around simply to look at, you should really get to know them better!

Lemons have always been used to accompany fish and deep fried foods, but also add a sweet acidic touch to sauces, marinades, and dressings. They bring out the fresh scent and stop discoloration of many raw cut-fruits and spices, while their pectin content makes them a natural for jellies and jams. Many Mediterranean salads call for raw chopped lemons. Of course, lemon zest is also a star ingredient in a long list of foods and drinks.

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Top photo by Valentyn Volkov. Bottom photo by iStockphoto

Photo by Liv Friis-Larsen

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History of the lemon

Lemons for all-natural beauty

The lemon tree is an evergreen first cultivated in India about 2,500 years ago. The bright yellow or greenish fruit is actually a berry known as a hesperidium. With the expansion of the Roman Empire, lemons found their way to Europe. Christopher Columbus brought lemons on his voyages to America. Over the next few centuries, it was discovered lemons could ensure the health of sailors on long sea journeys. So lemons arrived everywhere that sailing ships landed. From there, they quickly spread to international cultivation and a global market.

With so many diverse benefits to improve cuisine, nutrition, and health, it’s no wonder lemons are also a key ingredient in skin care and beauty treatments.

Lemon juice is both an antiseptic and an astringent. It can be used to cleanse your complexion, reduce oiliness, acne or scars, even diminish the appearance of age marks, freckles, or other imperfections.

Nails and hair also benefit from the wonders of lemons. Adding lemon to your diet will make your hair and nails healthier and stronger.

You can also use lemon for all-natural beauty treatments…

Soak nails in lemon juice for about 10 minutes, then switch to a mix of white vinegar diluted with warm water for naturally white nails.

Are your locks not as lush as they used to be? Try a “cocktail” of equal parts lemon juice and coconut water and apply it to your scalp. It’s touted as a natural treatment for hair loss and will also make your hair instantly look shinier and thicker!

Why is the lemon so uniquely popular?

Lemons can work their magic on a dish unlike almost anything else on earth!

The lemon is a remarkable ingredient that has an actual chemical reaction with other foods, in the same way vinegar and salt do, but in a tastier and healthier way. Lemons also add their bright color and bold scent to any dish.

While lemons enhance the taste of food in a manner similar to salt, lemons don’t include the added sodium and offer a much more subtle palate for the sophisticated chef. The lemon’s acidity also breaks down heavy oils to impart a clean flavor, and their citric acid content aids in digestion and weight loss. In fact, citric acid increases salivation, literally making food more mouth-watering! When your mouth waters, it signals added flavor and enjoyment to your brain.

You could experiment with the wide variety of vinegars to find the one you want to add to a dish to give it a certain acidic bite. But it’s much simpler to rely on lemons!

Cleaning up with lemons

People are saying no to harsh chemical cleaners and looking to fresh lemons with their antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.

Lemon juice, mixed with coarse salt or baking soda, is a terrific natural way to make a variety of things shine like new, from copper pots to fixtures. For countertop stains, pour a bit of lemon juice, let it sit for a few moments and watch them disappear! Toss unused lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to freshen the drain.

A bit of lemon juice and hot water down a regular drain will do the trick as well.

Give top nutrition a squeeze!

Lemons not only enhance the flavor, fragrance, and color of foods, they also pack a powerhouse punch of vitamins and minerals.

Just as their fresh scent invigorates us, lemons also give our bodies a natural energy boost as their ability to both hydrate and oxygenate revitalizes us. They are a staple in most healthy eating programs as they promote the flushing of toxins and fluids, while having very few calories.

Lemon is also believed to be good in restoring 50

the body’s pH balance, keeping you fit and building your immune system, combating liver problems, and promoting improved vision and healing.

Known for their antibacterial properties, scientists continue to study the benefits of lemons in treatments against cancer, high blood pressure, aging, and even Parkinson’s disease. All great reasons to add tasty lemons to your life!

Top photo by Joe Belanger. Middle photo by Andrea Skjold. Bottom photo Matka Wariatka

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Choosing your lemons

If you want lemons without a powerful pucker factor, look for the darling of chefs and bakers, the Meyer lemon, also known as the sweetheart citrus, because of its added sweetness factor due to a touch of mandarin orange in its family tree. Meyer lemons are the perfect choice for marmalades and candied peels.

Buddha’s hand or finger citron is a lemon with a unique, somewhat misshapen appearance that looks like a long hand with fingers. Extremely fragrant, in China it is used in temple offerings. However, its culinary coup is in its rind, as its “fingers” are all rind without pulp or juice.

It’s easy to shop for lemons. They should look exactly the way you picture: smooth, bright yellow, with a perfect lemon shape. They should be firm and slightly heavy for their size. This ensures you’re picking the juiciest lemons.

With literally hundreds of varieties of lemons available depending upon where on the globe you are, you’re sure to find a wealth of ways to add some zest to your life!

Top photo by Bigstock. Bottom photo by Anton Ignatenco