Buying Fresh Lemons

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Lemon Facts
Nutrition Labels
Sizing

Nutrition Labels

Sunkist® Lemons are firm and juicy, with smooth skins and very few seeds. Unlike other types of citrus, lemons do not require significant heat to ripen, and are harvested year-round, mostly in coastal areas where temperature fluctuations are minimal and the climate is temperate. Widely accepted as the most popular citrus fruit used in cooking today, lemons are an integral part of many of today's favorite entrees, salads, sauces, beverages, marinades, fillings, preserves, and flavorings.

Tip

In addition to providing flavor and nutrients to your dishes, lemons are an ideal substitute for salt in the preparation of your light and "heart healthy" items.

Lemon Facts

The two major varieties of lemons are the Lisbon and the Eureka. They are so similar that even experts cannot always tell them apart. A third variety, the slightly less acidic Meyer lemon, is grown in many back yards in the Western states. Since it does not ship well, it is not grown commercially.
It took the California Gold Rush of 1849 to establish the commercial lemon industry. The California miners found that this excellent source of Vitamin C was important to keep them healthy. It's amazing to know that the lemon was so prized that they sold for more than a dollar a piece over 150 years ago.

Sizing - Packing

Our lemons are shipped in sturdy, standardized paperboard cartons that hold about 40 pounds of fruit (total weight will vary, based on fruit size). The size designation, printed on every carton, states the number of lemons in the carton and also gives an indication of the size of the individual fruit within that carton. For example, a carton of "140s" contains 140 medium-size lemons. A carton of "200s" holds 200 small-size lemons, while a carton of "75s" contains 75 very large lemons.

Packing Tip

To preserve the fresh appearance of lemon wedges after they are prepared, refrigerate in covered containers. Refrigerated wedges will stay fresh up to four days - whole lemons will keep for two weeks!

Check this size chart to find the size of lemon best suited to your service.