Lemons aren't just for lemonade!

How to select

Lemons are bright yellow and oval in shape with a pronounced bulge at the blossom end. They can range in size from a large egg to a small grapefruit. Look for smooth, brightly colored skin (green signals underripeness), and lemons that are heavy for their size.

How to store

Can keep for 2-3 weeks in plastic in the refrigerator. Once the juice is squeezed there is a quick loss of vitamin C.

Matches Well With

Almonds, cardamom, chicken, chocolate, currants, desserts, fish, honey, lime, oysters, poppy seeds, raspberries, shellfish, strawberries, veal

Substitutions

2-3 tbsp juice + 2 tsp grated rind = 1 lemon

1/2 tsp vinegar = 1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest = 1/2 tsp dried lemon peel = 1 tsp lemon marmalade = 1 tsp lime zest = 1 tsp orange zest = 1/2 tsp lemon extract

Nutrition Facts and Information about Lemon

Very good amounts of copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorous, potassium and calcium are found in lemons.

Small amounts of zinc and sodium can also be seen in lemons.

Vitamin Content

Lemon contains excellent levels of vitamin C. It is also a good source of thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

Lemon also contains traces of vitamin B2.

Add grated lemon peel to tea, yogurt, or a hot cereal like oatmeal.

Add lemon zest to salad dressing or sprinkle on your salad.

Make a salad dressing using fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar. It's both tasty and refreshing.

Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to fresh cut fruit or a fruit salad will keep fruits like apples and pears from going brown, while adding that extra nutritional zip.

Slice lemons and place them on top of fish or chicken before baking or grilling.

There's a whole lot more you can make with lemons than just lemonade.

And I'll say it again, lemon is nature's priceless gift to mankind. Here are just a few things you can do with lemons.

To reduce a fever, lemon juice promotes perspiration and helps block pain. When lemon juice is heated, salicylic acid (the chemical precursor of aspirin's active ingredient) is produced.

For flu, the juice of half a lemon in warm water morning, noon, and night helps eliminate toxins and ease aches.

To prevent or relieve colds and coughs, drink lemon juice straight or mixed with honey or fruit juice.

Next time you have a sore throat, just reach for a lemon! Add the juice of one lemon to an equal amount of hot water for an anti-bacterial gargle.

Fresh squeezed lemon in a glass of ample water is said to clense the liver. It is also said that lemon helps to stimulate the metabolism.

To reduce the itching and pain of black fly/mosquito bites, rub pieces of lemon liberally over the bite area. If really severe bites, sprinkle baking soda on after, while skin still wet from lemon juice.

Lemon is also a diuretic and is good for people with urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, such as those with arthritis or rheumatism because it helps flush out all the toxins and bad bacteria.

In hot and humid weather, a cut lemon rubbed over face and hands is a clean up pick me up.

To use lemon juice as an astringent body pack, mix juice with oatmeal and sponge mixture over your skin.

Squeeze juice out of two big lemons, strain, and dilute with 1 cup of warm water. Comb juice through hair and rinse.

Great as a sanitary kitchen deodorizer, grease remover, bleach stain, and disinfect; when mixed with baking soda, lemon can remove stains from plastic food storage containers.

I heard that lemon juice applied to the hair can work as a natural hair lightener.

Applying lemon juice to facial blemishes is a popular form of treating acne.

A halved-lemon dipped in salt or baking powder can be used to brighten copper cookware. The acid cuts through the tarnish and the abrasives assist the cleaning.

Fruit at room temperature gives up more juice.

Roll the fruit on the counter top with the palm of your hand to soften the lemon. It is much easier to squeeze out the juice after you've rolled the lemon.

Why? You break up the tissues of the fruit when you roll it on a hard surface, so the juice comes out more easily.

Cut in half crosswise and ream out the juice using a hand or electric juicer.

Save citrus shells to make decorative containers.