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The Daily Insight

What is special about a Meyer lemon?

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on March 02, 2026

What is special about a Meyer lemon?

Their skin is smoother than that of a regular lemon. And they’re smaller in size and more round than regular lemons. When it comes to taste, it’s easy to tell a Meyer lemon from a regular lemon. They are less acidic and sweeter in taste.

Is a Meyer lemon a real lemon?

Citrus × meyeri, known as 香柠檬 (xiangningmeng), or the Meyer lemon, is a hybrid citrus fruit native to China. It is a cross between a citron and a mandarin/pomelo hybrid. Mature trees are around 6 to 10 ft (2 to 3 m) tall with dark green shiny leaves. The lemons contain a highly acidic pH of between 2 and 3.

What is the difference between Meyer lemon and Improved Meyer lemon?

The only difference between Meyer and Improved Meyer is that any viral infections that may have been inherent in the old Meyer variety have been cleaned up. So, the main difference is that Improved Meyer is virus free (a good thing that may increase the vigor of a variety).

Is the Meyer lemon genetically modified?

In 1973, a new virus-free Meyer lemon tree was created and accepted by the USDA for production. Although many believe it to be a genetically modified fruit, it is in fact categorized by the USDA as a “natural” hybrid fruit.

Why are Meyer lemons so expensive?

Meyer lemon season usually begins in late November or early December and ends by March. Their limited window of availability, coupled with their more fragile nature (which makes shipping them more difficult), naturally makes them more expensive than hardier, year-round regular lemons too.

What is the best tasting lemon?

1. Meyer Lemon. The famous favorite. The Meyer Lemon Tree is probably what comes to mind when you think of versatile indoor or outdoor growth and amazing, easy-to-grow flavor.

Can you eat Meyer lemons like an orange?

If you’re unfamiliar with the citrus fruit, they’re basically a cross between a regular lemon and an orange, meaning you won’t pucker your lips too much if you bite into one. Because of their even blend of sweetness and tartness, they can be used in so many recipes, both food and drink, and sweet and savory.

Can you eat a Meyer lemon like an orange?

What are the juiciest lemons?

“Meyer” lemon trees produce abundant fruit year-round. The fruits are juicy, sweet and thin-skinned. They are less acidic than other lemons and lack the familiar punch of tartness. “Eureka” lemons are the type you most commonly find in the grocery store.

Should you urinate on lemon trees?

Certain plants (like citrus trees) will absolutely do well if you add urine to their intake. But urine is very high in nitrogen and could potentially “burn” the plant.

What is a Meyer lemon?

Meyer lemon is a three way cross between a lemon, an orange and a mandarin. It was introduced in 1908 from China by Frank Meyer, an employee of the USDA. He’s the same guy who discovered Meyer zoysiagrass.

What happened to Meyer lemons in California?

Meyer lemon was a major crop in California until the 1940’s, when the tree was found to be a symptomless carrier of a deadly citrus virus. As a result, most were destroyed. A grower found a virus-free tree in the 1950’s and ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon trees came back on the market.

Do Meyer Lemons need a pollinator?

As a result, most were destroyed. A grower found a virus-free tree in the 1950’s and ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon trees came back on the market. Your lemon does not require insects to pollinate the flowers although an occasional light tapping of the flower cluster will improve fruit set.

When was the first Meyer lemon tree introduced to the US?

It was introduced to the United States in 1908 as S.P.I. #23028 by the agricultural explorer Frank Nicholas Meyer, an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture who collected a sample of the plant on a trip to China. The Meyer lemon is commonly grown in China in garden pots as an ornamental tree.