The lemon belongs to the family Rutaceae. It is classified as Citris limon. The tree is an evergreen and reaches 3 to 6 meters in height. Lemons are cultivated throughout the world from California to the Middle East. Lemons were first brought from the Middle East during the Middle Ages.

The main types of lemons produced in the United States are the Eureka, the Lisbon, the Genoa, the Sicily, the Belair, and the Villafranca. Some lemons are produced in Arizona and Florida, but most of the commercial crop is grown in southern California, where production averages about 90 percent of the annual U.S. output.

The fruit is pale-yellow and elliptically shaped which has a small nipple like protuberance at the apex. The fruit is covered by a layer of protection known as rind which is used in perfumes and lemon flavoring. The spongy white layer between the rind and pulp is the mesocarp, which is rich in Vitamin P and contains a substance known as citrin.

Lemon juice is used widely from drinks, salad dressings to fish flavoring and herbal medicine. The pulp of the lemon is used commercially in the manufacturing of citric acid, and is now used in making concentrated lemon juice which is used medicinally for its high vitamin C content.

Health Benefits

Lemons act as an antiseptic, an agent that will prevent infection or putrefaction. It is also anti-scorbutic, meaning it can help prevent scurvy. One of the best fruits in cleaning out impurities out of the system, they are also an excellent stimulant of the liver and solvent for poisons. A very good fruit for malaria it can also liquefy bile. Lemon juice also has great benefits for those suffering from rickets and cronic rheumatism.

Pregnant mothers are also advised to drink the juice of lemons during pregnancy as it will help build strong bones. Also lemons are good for nerve cells and for the strengthening of the teeth and bones. Lemon is one of the highest fruits in phyto-chemicals. In fact it ranks in the top ten. Phyto-chemicals help fight cancer. They are neither vitamins nor minerals because they lack calories.

Lemon is very good for anemia (iron deficiency). Even though its iron content is low it is excellent and speeding up the body’s absorption of iron. It is also an excellent fruit for those suffering from arthritis as it is highly effective in removing uric acid from the joints (build up of uric acid is caused by meat and other animal products). It is also good for dealing with and dissolving kidney stones which are formed by uric acid salts.

The top main health benefits of lemon include:

Antioxidants – Type of chemicals that are very useful in fighting cancer.

Protecting the capillaries – Strengthens the walls of the capillaries while improving the elasticity of arteries and reduce excess blood clotting.

Anti-carcinogens – D-limonene, an aromatic terpene found in the lemon, particularly the pee, has been proven to neutralize certain carcinogens.

Infections – One of the best fruits for infections happens to be lemons. It kills over 20 different bacteria and is one of the best fruits for common colds, flues or any other acute condition that affects the immune system.

• Grated rind and juice of 4 lemons (unwaxed)
• 4oz Vegan margarine
• 12oz evoperated cane juice
• 1 sachet Vege Gel
• Egg replacer equilivant of 4 eggs

PREPARATION

Place all the ingredients except the Vege Gel in the top of a double saucepan or in a bowl standing over a pan of simmering water.

Stir until the sugar has dissolved and continue heating gently for about 20 minutes, Until the curd thickens.

If the curd does not thicken put the Vege gel powder in a jug and add a little of the hot curd to it and stir well, then add this to the bowl of curd and stir until slightly thick.

Meanwhile have 2 jamjars warm an the oven ready to pour the curd into,cover the jars with clingfilm.