Amidst the grayscale of winter, vibrant citrus shines as a welcome bright spot. Although you might be able to find navel oranges and ruby red grapefruit throughout the year, several other tangy varieties are only available for a few short months. And one such citrus that thrives in these cold months between December and May is the Meyer lemon.

But what’s so special about a Meyer lemon? Read on to find out!

Origin

Meyer lemons were introduced to the United States in 1908 by an employee of the USDA, Frank Nicholas Meyer. He collected a sample of this variety cultivated near Peking, China, and believed it to be a hybrid of a citron and a mandarin.

The plant grew in popularity in California through the 1940s; however, most of the original Meyer lemon trees were destroyed after it was discovered that they were asymptomatic carriers of a disease that affected other citrus trees. In the 1950s, the University of California developed an “improved Meyer lemon” that did not carry this virus. This new variety of Meyer lemon has continued to dazzle the culinary world with its myriad uses in everything from cocktails to savory entrees and sweet desserts!

Appearance

You can identify the Meyer lemon due to its smaller size and darker golden hue. It has smooth, thin, and delicate skin that makes largescale, commercial shipping a challenge. This is why you will mostly see Meyer lemons in specialty grocery stores like ours!

Flavor

Meyer lemons are sweeter and more aromatic than the standard Eureka or Lisbon lemons you will find on most produce shelves. While these small lemons don’t wallop you with acidity and make your mouth pucker, they will deliver a pleasant floral zing to brighten your favorite dishes. But keep in mind that Meyer lemons aren’t always a one-to-one substitute for regular lemons. Their mellow fragrance might not be what you’re looking for on taco night.

Uses

As previously mentioned, Meyer lemons are used in a variety of ways. Due to their thin skin and juicy nature, they are an excellent choice for preserved lemons. Learn how to preserve lemons here! Or check out these 27 other ways to use Meyer lemons including in pastas, salads, cakes, and sauces.