Lemon

A lemon is a yellow citrus fruit which is used in a number of period recipes. Lemon peel appears in many dishes as well as in things such as marmalade. Lemon juice is often used to set jam.

There are 12th century references to the growing of lemons and they are knwon to have been growing in Italy in the late 15th century but they did not become widespread until the 16th century and then only in areas that were suitable for growing (eg. Spain and Italy). They did not become common in Northern Europe until the 18th century.

See also:

• cloved lemon.