History
Once referred to as the "golden apple," lemons have been treasured across the world and throughout history. Lemons pack a vitamin-powered punch – just one medium lemon contains approximately 40% of your suggested daily intake of vitamin C! A little lemon zest or juice can serve as a natural condiment with any meal.
We know very little about the origins of the lemon other than that it came to Europe from the Middle East. Its first mention in literature was in the early 10th century by an Arabic farmer. However, historians believe that it originated in Southeast Asia, probably in China or India, as a cross between the lime and the citron.
The lemon was likely introduced to Spain and North Africa between 1000 and 1200 AD. It continued to spread through Europe with the Crusaders, who found it growing in Palestine, and then made its way to Haiti with Christopher Columbus. There is evidence that, by 1494, the lemon was being cultivated in the Azores and from there shipped to England.
Exactly how and when the lemon came to the United States is unclear, but historians believe lemons were brought to Florida by early explorers between 1513, when Ponce de Leon first arrived there, and 1565, when Florida's first colony, St. Augustine, was established.
In all its travels, the lemon became known for its usefulness as a cure for scurvy (a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C), which was common among sailors, soldiers and pirates as well as miners during the California Gold Rush.