Lemons

The Lemon is both a small evergreen tree (Citrus × limon, often given as C. limon) native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind (zest) are also used, mainly in cooking and baking.

Many lemon flavored drinks and foods are available, including lemonade and sherbet lemons, as well as lemon and seasoning salt as a snack. The distinctive sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in many dishes across the world.

The exact origin of the Lemon has remained a mystery, though it is widely presumed that Lemons first grew in Southern India, Northern Burma, and China. In South and South East Asia, it was known for its antiseptic properties and it was used as an antidote for various poisons. Lemons entered Europe (near southern Italy) no later than the 1st century CE, during the time of Ancient Rome. However, they were not widely cultivated. It was later introduced to Persia and then to Iraq and Egypt around CE 700. The lemon was first recorded in literature in a 10th century Arabic treatise on farming, and was also used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens. It was distributed widely throughout the Arab world and the Mediterranean region between 1000 and 1150.

In India, Lemon is used in day to day life for various purposes. It is used in all Indian traditional medicines mainly in Siddha Medicine and Ayurveda. It is one of the main ingredients in many of the Indian cuisines. Either lemon pickle or Mango Pickle is part of an everyday lunch meal in Southern India. In Hindu Pooja, lemon takes a very important place.

The first substantial cultivation of lemons in Europe began in Genoa in the middle of the 15th century. It was later introduced to the Americas in 1493 when Christopher Columbus brought Lemon seeds to Hispaniola along his voyages. Spanish conquests throughout the New World helped spread Lemon seeds. It was mainly used as ornament and medicine. In the 18th and 19th centuries, when lemons were first used widely in cooking and flavoring, they were increasingly planted in Florida and California.

Limes

Lime (from Arabic and French Lim) is a term referring to a number of different citrus fruits, both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in colour, 3 to 6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and beverages. Limes are grown all year round and are usually smaller and more sour than lemons.

In cooking, Lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is a very common ingredient in authentic Mexican, Southwestern United States, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. The use of dried limes (called black lime or loomi) as a flavoring is typical of Persian cuisine and Iraqi cuisine, as well as in Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture that is also called kabsa or kebsa). Lime is an essential ingredient of any cuisine from India, and many varieties of pickles are made, e.g. sweetened Lime pickle, salted pickle, and Lime chutney.

Lime leaves are also an herb in South, East, and Southeast Asia. Lime is frequently used to add flavour to cold and hot drinks, including water, tonic and other cocktails.

To prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus, such as Lemon, and later switched to Lime, which was not as effective at preventing scurvy but was easier to obtain on Britain's Caribbean Colonies. It was later discovered that the greater effectiveness of Lemons was derived from the 4 fold higher quantities of vitamin C that Lemon juice contains compared to the West Indian Limes used by the British. This was initially a closely guarded military secret, as scurvy was a common enemy of various nation's Navies, and being able to be at sea for lengthy periods without contracting scurvy was a huge military benefit. The British sailor acquired the nickname of being a Limey because of their usage of limes.

Macadamias

Oranges

Persimmons