Lemons are a popular citrus fruit. Unlike many fruits, lemons do not ripen or improve in quality after picking. People should harvest lemons when they are ripe.
- Lemons pair well with both savory and sweet dishes. Lemons give flavor to baked goods, sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts.
- Dress salads with fresh lemon juice and a small amount of olive oil with herbs instead of using a commercial product.
Benefits:
- Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, which are antioxidants.
- Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the support system of the skin.
- Foods that are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants may help strengthen the immune system against the germs that cause the common cold and the flu.
Pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with iron-rich foods
maximizes the body’s ability to absorb iron.
Squeezing a whole lemon into a glass of hot water with a large spoonful of honey makes a soothing drink for someone with a cough or cold.