One of the most cultivated and used citrus fruits at a culinary level is the lemon. It is used for many recipes, cakes, biscuits, juices, etc. Surely all of you have used it on some occasion, not even to add a little of its juice to the Roman squid. Despite being so popular, many people ask themselves the following question: Is lemon a fruit?
This doubt arises on several occasions, and not only with the lemon. That is why we will explain in this article what is considered a fruit and whether the lemon is one or not. So if you want to get out of doubt, I recommend that you continue reading.
What are fruits and how are they classified?
Before answering the question of whether the lemon is a fruit or not, we will first explain what fruits are and how they are classified. When we speak of the fruit of a plant, we refer to the edible fruit that is obtained from certain vegetables, both cultivated and wild. It is usually eaten as a dessert and some can be served fresh or cooked. The fruits are usually eaten once they are ripe. In addition, jellies, juices and jams can be made with them.
The nutritional value of fruits must be highlighted. Its percentage of water is very high, and can reach up to 95%. Therefore, it is not surprising that they have few calories, which makes them great allies to lose weight. Also, yesThey are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Specifying a little more on the subject of the vitamins that fruits contain, it should be noted that they offer two kinds of different from the same:
- Vitamin A: It is mostly found in kiwis and strawberries.
- Vitamin C: It predominates in peaches and plums.
Although it is true that fruits stand out especially for their high content of vitamins, we must not forget that they also offer other important components for our health, such as fiber, carbohydrates, proteins and aromas.
fruit classification
When it comes to classifying fruits, we can do them in different ways. One of the most common is because of its flavor:
- Acid fruits: At a nutritional level, it should be noted that they help lower uric acid and cholesterol levels.
Examples: Eggplant, chayote, guava, orange, cucumber, pineapple, grape and some apple varieties. - Semi-acid fruits: They stand out for being rich in proteins whose biological value is high.
Examples: Strawberry, guava, lime, tangerine, mango, peanut, cashew, peach y tomato. - Sweet fruits: Sweets are more compatible with each other. From a nutritional point of view, they stand out for being rich in both vitamins and minerals. Of course, they are not compatible with acidic or neutral fruits.
Examples: Apricot, Cherry, custard apple, dates, grenade, currant, soursop, higo, melon, papaya, pear, pitahaya, watermelon, sapodilla and some varieties of plums, guava, apple, medlar and grape. - Neutral fruits: These are the richest in essential nutrients for our body, such as minerals, vitamins, proteins and trace elements.
Examples: Avocado, almond, hazelnut, peanut, Chestnut, coco, Macadamia y nut.
We can also distinguish different types of fruits according to its seeds:
- Stone or stone fruits: They have a hard shell and their seed is usually large. An example would be the quince.
- Pip fruits: It has several small sized seeds. Among them are apples and pears.
- Grain fruits: They have numerous tiny seeds, such as the fig.
Then we can also distinguish between dried fruit and fresh fruit. The first is subjected to a drying process and is consumed several months after harvest. On the other hand, the fresh one is consumed immediately, or after a few days from its harvest.
We can not forget the berries. The fruits that belong to this group are those that are small and that, apart from being cultivated, also usually grow on wild bushes. Among these types of fruits are blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, for example.
Fruit and its importance in the diet
As we mentioned earlier, Fruits are foods that are very rich in various important components for our body. In addition, due to their high water content, they have very few calories, which is advantageous if we want to lose weight. Of course, do not go overboard, excesses are never good. Among the most advisable fruits if we want to lose weight are apples, pineapple, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, melon, pear and watermelon.
While it is true that fruit is great for losing weight, it is also important to consume it if this is not our goal. It is a fundamental food for a balanced diet. Its daily intake provides us with mineral salts, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants necessary for good health of our body. In addition, the fruit favors the elimination of toxins.
Lemon: Fruit or not?
Now that we know what fruits are, let’s answer the big question: Is lemon a fruit? The answer is yes. Lemon is a small, yellow, acidic citrus fruit. It is a highly valued source of citric acid and ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C.
It is part of the species Citrus limonum, belonging to the genus Citrus which in turn is from the family of the Rutaceae. The lemon is an oval fruit that can reach a length of between seven and twelve centimeters. Its color is yellow and It has glands that possess essential oils. Regarding the pulp, it is divided into segments, which contain the acidic juice. Depending on the variety of lemon, inside we can find small seeds that are slightly round and slightly pointed.
Lemon juice is widely used to add flavor to both foods and beverages, and is used to prevent scurvy. Also, lemon oil is used for aromatherapy. This perfumed liquid is obtained by extracting it from the peel of the fruit. Lemon is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to make various medicines and at home as a natural and home remedy.
