Lemons

Description

Lemon’s characteristics

The lemon is one of the best known citrus fruits in Spain, and its cultivation is concentrated in the Mediterranean area, that is to say, the area in which our orchard is located.

The lemons from the Huerta de Pancha are characterised by the typical acid taste of this citrus fruit. They are also very fragrant fruits, that is to say, they have a very peculiar smell that is pleasant.

The peel or rind of the lemon is bright yellow, which is green when it is not yet ripe. It is widely used for desserts or infusions.

Between the skin and the fruit there is a white layer, which gives bitterness to the fruit, so it is not usually consumed.

The flesh of the lemon has a pale yellow colour and is divided into wedges, which give off a very characteristic taste and smell.

The fruit is usually eaten fresh, i.e. it is not usually cooked. However, it can be used as a garnish in some stews or prepared meals.

Our lemon crops in Malaga

The Axarquia stands out in the cultivation of lemon trees because it is one of the areas with the most tropical climate, and therefore the lemons withstand the temperatures well.

Lemon trees are re-flowering trees, which means that they flower more than once per season.

Our lemon trees have been producing lemons for years and, like every year, they flower several times per season. Some of our lemon trees can even bear fruit all season long.

At Huerta de Pancha we attach great importance to the care of our lemon trees in order to obtain the greatest amount of fruit in a given time.

In this case, we consider it important to maintain continuous irrigation during the flowering process, so that the flowers can bear fruit. The same applies during pollination, for which we ensure that the flowers are pollinated by our bees.

What we want to achieve with all these processes is to encourage the harvesting of 100% natural lemons, without any artificial processes having been involved in their cultivation.

We pick the lemons by hand, at the moment when we check the level of ripeness of the lemons. We always do this process with scissors, in order to keep part of the lemon stalk and prevent it from spoiling.

Lemon types

There are different varieties of lemons, depending on the variety of lemon tree grown. Some of them are the following:

The best known is the Verna lemon, typical of the Spanish Mediterranean area. It is characterised by its shape and pronounced nipple, as well as its thick rind.

The rind of the Eureka lemon is thinner. Other main characteristics are that it has almost no seeds and that its juice is very acidic.

The Lisbon lemon has a very rough skin, and it is also one of the most acidic varieties and provides the highest amount of juice.

There are also others, such as the Fino lemon or the Interdonato lemon, which have very few seeds.

How you will receive Huerta de Pancha’s lemons

Our lemons are harvested at their optimum point. This point, in the case of lemons, coincides with the point of ripeness. In other words, they are ready to eat once the order arrives at your home (ready to eat). These lemons maintain all their flavour and natural freshness as they do not go through cold storage.

For packaging, we use 100% recyclable cardboard boxes and we always try to ensure that they are as well protected as possible to prevent them from being damaged during transport. We strive for quality for the consumer.

How to preserves lemons

Lemons need to be kept cold, so if we leave them in the fruit bowl at room temperature they will last for about a week. As the days go by, the skin dries out and hardens and the lemons shrink.

To keep them better in the fridge, a trick is to put them in a closed plastic bag. Lemon peel is very porous and allows moisture to escape from the inside, so when they are stored in a closed plastic bag, this moisture condenses on the plastic and maintains a humid atmosphere that prevents the fruit from drying out.

How to make the most of lemon peel 

Lemon zest can be used to flavour broths and soups, or it can be finely chopped and used in stir-fries, sauces and dressings. It can also add a tasty touch to a cake or homemade jam. However, when peeling the fruit, it is important not to take any of the white part, as it is very bitter and can alter the flavour of the recipe.

Lemon’s properties from Axarquia

Lemon is a very low calorie fruit, which also has a negligible amount of fat. Of its nutritional values, its high potassium content stands out, and of course, as with other citrus fruits, its high vitamin C content. Although it is not so significant, it is worth mentioning the presence of other minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Lemons are a fruit that, like other citrus fruits such as oranges or mandarins, are products that have many benefits for the organism. Some of their main benefits are the following:

Lemons from the Axarquia have a strong antibacterial power, and they can eliminate some bacteria that can cause diseases. In addition, the continued use of lemon juice can favour the elimination of toxins and the improvement of digestive processes.

In short, if you are looking for a fruit that helps you to eliminate toxins and improve your digestion, choose lemons from Huerta de Pancha: straight from the lemon tree to your home!