Lemons: the complete guide to varieties & characteristics

Among citrus fruits, lemon is the one that is most often taken for granted or thought of as common. However, it is a fruit that includes many varieties with very different shape, aroma and acidity characteristics.

For this reason, it is not true that one lemon is as good as another and choosing one variety instead of another can radically change the final result of a recipe. Here is a complete guide on the types of lemons and how to choose the right lemon varieties for every occasion.

Types of lemons: why variety makes the difference

When it comes to lemons, there are several varieties and knowing their characteristics is important to have the desired result. As in the choice of wine, where each red has its own peculiarities, the same applies to these citrus fruits. The variety or “cultivar” determines the aromatic impact of the type of lemon, which can be more pungent and acidic or mild and almost sweet.

If genetics is among the characteristics that make a variety unique, the other half of the work is done by the territory where the variety is grown, which gives a distinctive organoleptic profile to the citrus fruit.

In the case of lemons, the evaluation parameters that allow us to distinguish the various types of lemons are the following:

• Flavedo: the colored part of the peel that contains the highest concentration of essential oils. The varieties of lemons are distinguished by the grain of the peel and the scent given off by it;
• Albedo: the white part of the lemon peel, usually discarded for its bitter taste. The thickness of the albedo is useful for the preservation of the fruit and for the production of candied fruit or jams;
• Juice: some varieties are juicier than others, making them better suited for making slushies and lemonades;
• Acidity and Brix degree: balance of flavors rendered by the encounter of citric acid and natural sugars;
• Seeds: in some varieties they are present while in others they may be absent.

Below is a table summarizing the evaluation criteria of lemon varieties:

All varieties of lemons: the protagonists of the Sicilian tradition

Returning to the topic of lemons and varieties of this citrus fruit, what are the types of lemons that exist? Starting from Sicily, lemons are often defined as “the yellow gold of the island”, since it is the ideal habitat for these crops. Thanks to the mild climate, the sun and the fertile and often volcanic soils, in Sicily it is possible to find three main varieties: Femminello, Interdonato, Monachello.

Femminello Syracuse Lemon

The Femminello lemon of Syracuse is the most representative of all the varieties of lemons on the island. Its name derives from the extraordinary fertility of this plant, which makes this variety the most widespread. An important element to mention when talking about the Femminello is re-flowering, i.e. the ability of the plant to flower and produce fruit several times a year in its sub-varieties.

Lemon First Flower

The Primo Fiore lemon is the first flowering of the Femminello: defined as the “winter” lemon, it is usually available from October to December. Characterized by a smooth and thin skin, with a green hue tending to yellow, it has a delicate taste, less pungent than other citrus fruits.

With a high juice yield and a unique aroma, it is rich in vitamin C and is useful for digestive functions, as well as performing an antioxidant function.

Bianchetto Lemon

The Bianchetto lemon, on the other hand, is the spring flowering of the Femminello and has a smooth skin of a lighter color than the First Flower. It is an intermediate lemon between Primo Fiore and Verdello. Moderately juicy, it has a delicate flavor and a particularly intense aroma due to the high concentration of essential oils in its peel.

Verdello Lemon

The Verdello lemon is the last flowering of the Femminello, the summer one that makes it available from June to September. With a thin bright green skin that tends to yellow as the fruit ripens, the flesh is light yellow and not very juicy.

With a lively and acidic taste, it offers a balanced flavor between acidity and sweetness typical of Sicilian summer recipes. This strain is particularly rich invitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals.

Interdonato Lemon

The Interdonato lemon is a Sicilian variety typical of the Messina area, a natural hybrid between lemon and citron. It has a fine and very thin skin, a sweet flavor that makes it almost devoid of pungent acidity.

Lemon Earwire

The Monachello lemon variety is mostly known for its resistance to “dry sickness”, a fungal disease typical of these plants. Originally from the areas of Catania and Messina, it has a thick and smooth light yellow skin, with a less acidic taste and a lower juice yield than Femminello.

Lime

In the theme of lemon varieties, Lime also deserves a mention, although it should be specified immediately that it is a different family that is often confused with lemon. Of tropical origin, it is among the most recent crops in Sicily, with availability from October to December.

Its skin is thin and smooth, bright green while the taste is intense and acidic. Rich in juice and very fragrant, it is a very nutritious citrus fruit that contains several vitamins.

Varieties of lemons famous in Italy besides Sicily

In addition to Sicilian varieties, there are also different types of lemons grown in the rest of Italy. An example is the Campania area, where you can find varieties such as the Amalfi Coast lemon, or Sfusato Amalfitano) and the Sorrento lemon, otherwise known as the Sorrento Oval.

To these are added other varieties such as the lemon of Rocca Imperiale, typical of the Cosenza area in Calabria and, further north, the Garda lemon characteristic of the Lombard area where the lake of the same name is located.

Types of lemons: how to choose the right variety for each use

Out of all the lemon varieties mentioned, it can become difficult to find your way around and choose the right variety for each use. To understand which one to use among the existing types of lemons, the ideal is always to think about the finished product you want to obtain: here is a simple guide for the practical use of lemons and their varieties.

In general, Primo Fiore is more suitable for those looking for juicy varieties with high nutritional quality, while those who love aromatic varieties should opt for Verdello and Lime is the most suitable for those who prefer strong and more sour tastes.

Properties and benefits of lemon: a concentrate of health

But what are the nutritional properties of lemon? Certainly, this citrus fruit is a real concentrate of health. The peel of the fruit deserves a special mention: in fact, if it is true that the benefits of lemon are different, the properties of lemon peel are just as many.

A fundamental role is certainly played by vitamin C, contained in high concentration in lemon and essential for collagen and immune defenses. At the same time, citric acid is also very useful to our body: both for its support to digestive functions and for its alkalizing property. Finally, the limonene contained in lemon and highly responsible for its irresistible scent has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Below are the average nutritional values per 100 g of fresh lemon:

Why the lemons of Tenuta Donna Fina are of excellence

If you ask someone to think of a characteristic element of Sicily, many will think of lemons. In fact, the island represents the ideal habitat for the cultivation of citrus fruits such as lemons and in Tenuta Donna Fina we wanted to respect the link of our land with lemons.

Our choice was to cultivate excellent and high quality varieties, which make them appreciated for the following reasons:

• The possibility of using them in their entirety: the peel of our lemons is untreated and is 100% edible. By purchasing them you can also use the peel, without running the risk of taking waxes or chemical materials typical of agricultural treatments.
• Respect for the territory and the rhythms of nature: at Tenuta Donna Fina we particularly care about our territory and the fruits it gives us. For this reason, our cultivation method is respectful of the rhythms of nature, and is particularly characterized by the soil and microclimate typical of the Etna area.
• Fruits harvested on the day of departure: we ship our products only two days a week, to guarantee their arrival around 48 hours before departure, in order to preserve their aroma. It’s our way of delivering fresh produce to our customers.

Discover all the varieties available from the lemon family on our website: from the first flowering of the Femminello Primo Fiore to the fragrant classic Sicilian lemons, without forgetting the very green and more acidic lime.