Species And Varieties Of Lemons In Greece
Uses Of Greek Lemons
Lemon juice contains about 5% citric acid (to pH: 2 - 3), which gives lemons their characteristic sour taste. The lemon leaves, the fruit, and the interior of the friut contain important components (essential oils, flavonoids). In Crete the lemon tree was considered noble and was planted in gardens and courtyards of classy mansions. The lemon blossoms are still used today in wedding ceremonies in many areas as a symbol of purity, while the lemon juice finds many applications in folk pharmaceutical practice. The most fleshy part of the fruit of the lemon tree and the skin are widely used in cooking. Lemon juice can also be used in sunburns, chilblains, callus, psoriasis and hair rinsing. It can also help to eliminate freckles from the face. Gum rubdowns with lemon juice and salt cleans the teeth, protects the gums and helps to stop their bleeding.
Maglino
It is the main variety in Greece. It is a very productive medium - sized variety with few seeds that bears fruit once a year. It is quite susceptible to a disease called koryfoxira. The fruit is smooth, has a thin skin and ripens in early autumn. The harvest takes place between October and March. It is considered to be a quite good range, it remains forward due to the high productivity, the juicy fruits and the very few seeds that it contains. It constitutes the basis of lemon production of our country, occupying 55% of total production.
Interdonato
It is a variety with cylindrical or oblong fruits with few seeds. It is an early variety that bears fruit once a year and the harvest takes place between August and February.
Karistino
It is a medium - sized variety with succulent fruit and few seeds which bears fruit once a year. The tree has no thorns and shows moderate resistance to the disease called koryfoxira. The harvest takes place from late autumn to early spring. The fruit of this variety is of quite good quality, rich in juice with highly acidic flavor. The skin is rough with moderate thickness.
Adamopoulou
Adamopoulou is a very productive variety, resistent to the disease koryfoxira, and is promoted mainly for lemon production during summer. The fruit of this variety is of medium to large size, has few seeds and the skin is thick with a rough surface.
Zambetaki
This variety is grown mainly in Crete and the Peloponnese. It is susceptible to the disesase koryfoxira and produces fruits of medium size with very juicy flesh and almost no seeds. The fruits of this variety are harvested in the spirng and summer.
Kitrolemonia
This variety is known mainly in Crete. It has a large fruit with thick skin and the juice contains few acids. It is mainly used in confetionery.
Evrika
It is a very productive variety with aromatic and succulent fruits. It bears fruit twice year. The tree has no thorns and the fruit is small without many seeds. It is susceptible to the disease koryfoxira and the harvest takes place in autumn, spring, and summer.
Lizbon
It is a quite productive variety which bears fruit once a year. The fruit is quite juicy, of large size, with elliptical shape and does not contain many seeds. The tree has thorns and is susceptible to the disease koryfoxira. The harvest takes place from October to February.
Vakalou
It is a variety that bears fruit twice a year. It produces quite large, tasty and succulent fruits. The fruit of this variety has a smooth surface and thin skin. The harvest takes place in spring and summer.
Verna
It is a medium sized variety fruit, with oval shape, short neck and developed nipple. The bark has medium thickness (it becomes thinner during the summer harvest) and rough surface. During maturation the color becomes bright yellow. It is a variety without seeds or less seeds and gives the main harvest during the winter. It can be well maintained until summer, but the fruits are undesirably large. It is very lively and large tree, with high productivity.
Mexican Limetia (Lime)
Venetian lemons have a greenish - yellow fruit, with small size, tender and juicy flesh and distinctive aroma. It's a quite productive variety and very widespread for making beverages. The harvest is taking place from the middle of July until December. It is suitable for gardening but it must be planted in a place protected from air and cold.