Ponderosa Lemon
By: Anonymous

About

A very large, bumpy skinned lemon usually weighing 2-4 pounds. The flavor is typical lemon-like, although it is actually not a true "lemon," but is closer related to a citron.

Information
Other names: Citrus Limon
Translations: Ponderosa Λεμόνι, بونديروسا الليمون, Limão Ponderosa, Ponderosa citron, ポンデローザレモン, Ponderosa Limun, Ponderosa Limone, פונדרוזה לימון, Пондероса Лимон, Ponderosa 레몬, Ponderosa नींबू, Ponderosa Llimona, Пондероса Лимон, 庞德尔罗萨柠檬, Пондероса Лимун, Ponderosa Limón, Ponderosa Лимон


Physical Description
Very large, bumpy skinned lemon usually weighing 2-4 pounds with lots of seeds and a lemony taste.  It is one of the largest citrus fruits.  The trees it comes from are small and thorny.
Colors: Yellow


Tasting Notes
Flavors: Lemony, citrus, sour, bitter
Mouthfeel: Juicy and sour
Food complements: Other citrus foods, Sugar
Wine complements: White wine
Beverage complements: Sweet tea
Substitutes: Other lemon varities, Citrons


Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: june, july, august, september, opctober
Peak: july, august, september
Choosing: Look for fruits that are unblemished and without mold or dark spots.  The lemons are often bumpy, with is nothing to worry about.  Make sure the skin is not wrinkled and that the fruit is not soft to the touch.
Buying: It is best bought at road side stands or farmers markets.  Also try health food stores and upscale grocery stores in the summer.
Procuring: Trees are somewhat sensitive to freezes and grow best in areas having only limited frosts and freezes.  The trees are small to medium sized usually to 10-25 feet high.



Preparation and Use
 Fruits are eaten raw, used in making juices, desserts, and for flavoring.  Try them in lemon pies, their large size means you often only need one for each pie.  It is popular as an ornamental fruit and as a planter fruit.
Cleaning: Wash well with water and dry.  No need to wash inside of fruit, but wash rind well, even if not using.


Conserving and Storing
The lemon has a long shelf life and can be stored on a kitchen counter or in the refrigerator. 


Social/Political
Popular in the US, where it is believed to have originated.  Similar large lemons are also sold in Italy, particularly in the Sorrento area.
History: It is believed to have been a chance seedling grown in Maryland around the beginning of the twentieth century.