The Fruit With A Boot

NOTHING IN THE GARDEN BEATS THE TANGY HIT OF LEMON

- Kerry Boyne

There was a time, not so long ago, when just about every Aussie backyard had a lemon tree. Now that many city folk live in apartments and townhouses, thankfully there are varieties that are well suited to container growing as long as they receive enough sun.

The lemon is so ubiquitous in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines you’d think it must have originated in that part of the world. The truth is its origins are not known but it’s thought to have come from Southeast Asia, quite likely northern India.

The lemon arrived in southern Europe during the time of the ancient Romans (around the second century) and about 500 years later in the Middle East. By the end of the first millennium it was widely grown throughout those regions, though not cultivated intensively until the 15th century. Columbus took seeds to America and the Caribbean.

Although lemons are always available in the shops (always check they’re Australian grown), what could be better than picking your own fresh off the tree as and when you need them for your seafood dishes, schnitzels, lemon meringue pies and lemon curd?

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