Origin of the lemon — history, curious facts and Valencia lemons

The lemon is one of those fruits everyone thinks they know. It sits in the kitchen, turns up in home remedies, lies on every restaurant table. But its history is considerably longer and stranger than its habitual presence next to the fish might suggest. The origin of the lemon stretches back more than 2,500 years, and the route it took to reach Valencia has more twists than a spy novel.

Our natural lemons from Valencia are the latest chapter in that story. No post-harvest treatment, no wax, no fungicides. What ripens in the Valencia sun is what arrives at your door.

Origin of the lemon — from India to your kitchen

The lemon tree has been cultivated in India for over 2,500 years. From there it travelled to Persia, then to the Middle East and North Africa. Arab traders were chiefly responsible for its spread across the Mediterranean. In Spain, the lemon tree arrived in the 11th century courtesy of the Arabs, who were already growing it on the peninsula alongside orange trees and other citrus.

Here is the detail that hardly anyone knows: until the 10th century, the lemon tree was kept as an ornamental plant. Nobody ate the fruit. Persian gardens grew them for decoration, not for gastronomy. It took centuries before someone thought to squeeze that yellow, sour fruit.

Curious facts about lemons you probably didn't know

The history of the lemon is full of stories worth telling.

Christopher Columbus took them to the Americas. In 1493, on his second voyage, Columbus carried lemon seeds to the New World. What began as an Asian ornamental plant ended up conquering an entire continent.

The Egyptians used them as deodorant. In Ancient Egypt, lemon juice was mixed with water to eliminate body odour. Lemon water was also served during meals so that guests could rinse their fingers.

The Romans used them against moths. Instead of mothballs, the Romans placed lemons among their clothing to protect the fabric. The cook Apicius, in his collection De re coquinaria, already described methods for preserving lemons.

The lemon wedge with fish. Since the Middle Ages, fish has been served with lemon because people believed the juice could dissolve any bones swallowed by accident. It cannot, but the custom survived because the flavour works.

The cure for scurvy. In 1747, James Lind proved that lemon juice cured scurvy in sailors. Vitamin C had not yet been identified as such, but the results were so clear that the Royal Navy began issuing citrus rations on board.

Lemons in Valencia — why this climate matters

Valencia offers exactly the conditions the lemon tree needs: abundant sunshine, mild winters and chalky soil. The varieties that do best here are Verna and Fino, with seasons that complement each other to provide fresh lemons for most of the year.

The difference between a Valencia lemon picked at its peak and a supermarket lemon that has spent weeks in cold storage is the same as the difference between a garden tomato and a Dutch greenhouse tomato: technically the same product, but in practice two entirely different experiences.

If you'd like to make use of the peel from these lemons — something that only makes sense with untreated fruit — have a look at our article on the benefits of lemon peel tea.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the lemon originally come from?

The lemon originates from South-East Asia, most probably the north-east of India. From there it spread to Persia and the Middle East through trade, reaching the Mediterranean and Spain in the 11th century via the Arabs.

When did the lemon arrive in Spain?

The lemon tree reached the Iberian Peninsula in the 11th century, introduced by the Arabs. It has been cultivated along the Mediterranean coast ever since, particularly in Valencia and Murcia, where the climate suits it well.

Why is fish served with lemon?

The custom dates from the Middle Ages, when people believed lemon juice could dissolve fish bones swallowed by accident. That is not true, but citric acid lifts the flavour of fish and the tradition stuck.

Which lemons does CitrusRicus grow?

We grow natural lemons from Valencia, Verna and Fino varieties, with no post-harvest treatment. They are picked at the right moment and shipped straight to your door — no wax, no fungicides, no cold storage.