BY NIKKI VAN COLLER
G
GARDEN
As a gardener, there are few things more satisfying
than harvesting your own food and creating delicious
meals with the freshest possible produce. Lemons are
particularly rewarding because the trees bear fruit
almost all year round in most parts of the country.
They are small to medium in size, vibrant and attractive,
and fairly easy to grow. Lemons are also extremely
versatile and can be used in a number of drinks, in
many sweet and savoury dishes, and for medicinal and
household purposes.
The pith of a lemon
is said to contain a growth
stimulant and rooting
hormone. Soak lemon
peels in a bucket of water
for a few days and then
use the liquid to water
your young plants.
A lemon is a lemon
There are many varieties of lemon trees, although in South Africa,
the most well-known varieties are Eureka, Meyer and Cape (also
known as the ‘rough-skinned lemon’).
The smooth-skinned Eureka is the most popular variety nowa
days. An evergreen, medium-sized tree with glossy green leaves
and beautiful scented flowers that bears striking yellow
fruit throughout the year. Taste-wise, the
Eureka is quite tart and acidic,
making it perfect for
recipes that
46 Plaastoe! July 2017
require that really tangy lemon flavour. As an added bonus, it has
very few seeds, and the tree is almost thorn-free.
The Meyer variety is slightly sweeter, with less of the ‘tang’ and is
believed to be a hybrid between a regular lemon and a mandarin or
orange. It has a rounder appearance and a smoother, more fragrant,
deep yellow skin. Because of their naturally compact growth habit,
Meyer lemon trees are very popular as ornamental trees.
The Cape or rough-skinned lemon has – as the name suggests
– a rough skin, is not as smooth and shiny as other varieties. The
fruit also has more seeds and the tree bears thorns. This lemon is
slightly sweet, but tarter than the Meyer, and the peel is excellent
for recipes that call for lemon zest (rind), but because it peels off
more like a nartjie, it’s not that easy to slice. This variety does well
in colder areas.
Sprinkling lemon
juice on sliced apples,
avocados and bananas
will help keep them from
turning brown.