(photo courtesy of European Lemons)
According to estimates by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, European lemon production will reach 1.6 million tons in the 2020-2021 season, 11% more than in 2019-2020.
European lemons are available 12 months of the year. The two main varieties are Fino and Verna, according to Welcome to the Lemon Age. The Lemon and Grapefruit Interprofessional Association coordinates the Welcome to the Lemon Age promotional campaign, which is co-financed by the European Union.
The Fino lemon, also known as Primofiori, is an ovoidal fruit that gets its name from the thin skin that accounts for 30% of its weight. The pale yellow fruit is ideal for juice since juice accounts for 40% of its weight. Its acidity is about 72 grams of citric acid per liter.
Fino is the most common variety in Europe. The most important flowering of the lemon tree occurs between April and May. Harvesting starts in October and lasts until May. At the end of summer there is another flowering in the Fino lemon tree that produces the stem of the lemons. Harvest takes place the following summer.
The Verna lemon is the second most important variety in Spain, the main European lemon producer. Elongated in shape and with pointed ends, Verna is usually larger than Fino. Its skin is thick and rough. The thickness of the Verna lemon peel, measuring between 3 and 11 millimeters, makes it a sought-after culinary ingredient. The acidity of its juice is about 55 grams of citric acid per liter.
The Verna lemon tree is usually grown on the slopes of the mountains that border the meadows and on recently transformed land. It can present up to three blooms. In areas with good weather conditions, it can generate fruit throughout the year.
Read more about European lemon production here.
Source: Welcome to the Lemon Age
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