Lemons (Citrus limon) have a yellow-green peel and a yellow, sour flesh. Lemon trees grow up to 5m high and have aromatic smelling, leathery, dark green leaves. They are populated throughout the year with unripe and ripe fruit, as well as white, outwardly reddish, pleasant smelling flowers. This means that it is possible to harvest lemons 3 to 4 times a year.

Lemon juice contains water, fruit sugars, 3-7% citric acid, and different fruit acids. Lemons contain plentiful amounts of vitamin C and are, like all other citrous fruits, rich in pectin and phosphorus.

The origin of this citrous fruit can only be speculated on. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and it is believed that its original home lies in Central or Southeast Asia. Lemons were already grown as a luxury product in China more than 4000 years ago. In the beginning, citrous fruits were exclusively reserved for the emperor and high officials. Lemon trees were called “golden headed slaves” because they brought their owners wealth and respect.

Alexander the Great came across the lemon during his Asian campaign (334-324 BC). However, it was only centuries later that the lemon finally arrived in Central Europe. It was probably brought there by the Arabs in the 10th century.

Today, lemons are cultivated in most countries with tropical or subtropical climates. The largest producer in the world is the USA. In Europe, it is mainly found in Spain and Italy (Sicily, Calabria).

At RITTER SPORT, citric acid is mostly used in our chocolate squares with fruity fillings. It gives them their particularly fresh fruity flavour, such as our RITTER SPORT Strawberry Yoghurt.