Once you discover Meyer lemons you will never want to go back. Find out when these amazing lemons are in season.
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For most of my life, a lemon was just a lemon.
A yellow tart fruit that sort of resembles a football.
Everything changed when life gave me Meyer lemons. I discovered that not all lemons are equal, not even close. As far as I am concerned the Meyer lemon reigns supreme over all others.
I love it's intense flavor. If something is made with Meyer lemons over your standard lemon varieties, I can taste the difference most of the time.
If they were available year round and were always the same price I would buy nothing but Meyer lemons. I am that serious in my love for this lemon.
Alas they are not available year round.
Good news is that each year I am seeing them for longer stretches of time. I am not ready to call the Meyer lemon a year round option. Keep following along with to learn more about what they are and when you get them.
Jump to:
🍋 What is a Meyer Lemon?
The Meyer lemon is a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin or orange - we are not sure. They originated in China and were brought to the U.S. by Frank Meyer - hence the name.
The fruit is sweeter than your common lemon, but not sweet enough to just eat out of hand (for that experience check out the Lemonade lemon).
The skin of the lemon is thinner and more apt to damage than other lemons. This is why it may have taken the lemon a while to become the commercial hit it is today.
We owe a lot of thanks to Martha Stewart for utilizing the fruit in her recipes before they became popular.
RELATED - What's the Difference Between Regular and Meyer Lemons?
❄️ When Is The Season?
The California Meyer lemon season begins right at the start of citrus season in November. It lasts all the way through the season into May. There may be brief interruptions based on weather conditions or other situations. Generally you can find them any day between November and May.
We are also starting to see more imported fruit during the summer months from places like New Zealand. This has practically made their season year around. In my experience June and October tend to be the months in which they are more difficult to find.
💲 How Much They Cost?
Most of the time you will find Meyer lemons coming in 1 pound bags with an grab handle. Occasionally you will find them sold loose by the pound, but majority of the time in bag.
They are more fragile than regular lemons due to their thinner skin, so large stacks of them loose are not a good game plan for retailers.
They range in sizes, from small to large. I would say small ones are the most common.
Price wise they are more expensive than other lemons. $1.99 to $2.99 per pound are the most common prices I have observed.
🛒 Where to Buy
You should be able to find the lemons near you. They are available at pretty much most chain grocery stores across the country. Whole Foods, Kroger, and Trader Joe's will stock them in season.
I have not personally seen them at Costco or Aldi but I have heard that they have sold them before.
My favorite place to get them is at the farmer's market in California. I go there when visiting my wife's family.
🍴 Meyer Lemon Recipes
Like I said I love using Meyer lemons in recipes. Any of the following recipes can be used with Meyer lemons:
If you are a Meyer lemon lover, leave a comment below, share why you love them so much!
Deanna
Thank you for this article! My friend works in a grocery store (Lucky) which isn’t my go to store but I must admit they have the kind in the picture above (good deal) and I appreciate they carry them.
Why I love them? The flavor of course...soooo refreshing and fun. I don’t use sugar in my iced tea so Meyer lemons are the best and now I want to only use them if possible!
Thanks Frank Meyer and Martha Stewart,
DeAnna Hettinger
Eric Samuelson
Glad you enjoyed the article and thanks for sharing your love for Meyer Lemons. Best lemon ever!
Jennifer Drennan
I love lemons. I especially love Meyers lemons. They peel like a mandarin orange and I eat them just like apples. They aren’t tart but have a sweetness like an orange. Thanks for the article. I am hunting them now and found some about 20 miles from me. I will be heading there after work tomorrow. Can’t wait. Thanks again. Jennifer
maegen
Whenever I'm lucky enough to find a good batch of Meyer lemons I make lemonade floats. At first glance that sounds disgusting, but its one of the best summertime treats! I make a strong batch of lemonade with the fresh Meyer lemons and add just enough sugar. Then I add a scoop of Tillamook vanilla ice cream. It has to be real icecream, the cheap brands with fillers will separate and ruin it. The vanilla balances the citrus into a mellow but fresh summer taste that can't be matched and the cream takes the edge off the bite of the lemonade.
Eric Samuelson
This sounds absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing
Judy Adams
I havefriends in nort fla. Withthese leon trees and i absolutely love them. They will keep for a very logtie whenrefrigerated. No cocktail iste samewithoutthem
Eric Samuelson
Those are some good friends to have!