A guide to lemons and limes in France including the citron de Menton, their benefits, how best to use the zest, food pairing for savoury and sweet - plus lemon and lime recipes.
Seasons and Varieties in France
French lemons are available all year round, depending on the variety but Menton lemons are in season all year round. In the Mediterranean south where lemon trees prefer the hotter climate, lemon trees can flower 3-4 times a year, so harvesting can happen throughout the year. In France:
- Limoni lemons are in season between December to May
- Verdelli from May to September
- Primofiore from October to January
- Menton lemons are available all year.
France is famous for its Menton lemons on the Côte d'Azur. They're less acidic than other varieties so if you see them at the market, pounce on them! Les citrons de Menton have been cultivated since 1341 and are today still a gastronomic speciality.
Since 2015 le Citron de Menton is protected with the quality category of Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) in Europe. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, 50 tons of Citrons de Menton IGP were commercialised in 2021.
Limes are typically harvested before they fully ripen, which is why they are green and called green lemons in French, citron vert. There are 2 main types:
- Persian (or Tahiti) lime: seedless and milder acidity
- Key (or Mexican) lime: smaller, more acidic variety with thicker skin; contains pips
Kaffir limes are found in Southeast Asia and taste closer to lemon. Known also for its glossy leaves and zest (containing citronellal), it's typically used in curry dishes.
When is the Lemon Festival in Menton 2025?
Since 1934, at the end of each winter in February, Menton holds its famous Fête du Citron®. The Lemon Festival in Menton takes place from 15th February to 2nd March 2025.
Essentially the biggest lemon party in France (and in the world), it lasts at least 2 weeks and features everything from parades with floats decorated with lemons, spotlighting the producers with workshops and recipe presentations around - you guessed it, lemons! For the full program, see the official Fête du Citron site.
Health Benefits of Lemons
According to Aprifel France for the Ministry of Agriculture in France, lemons are low in sugar. They are a good source of vitamin C and B9 (folic acid), especially in the winter months.
Lemons also help clean the liver - so drinking fresh lemon juice with some water in the morning can be a beneficial, seasonal detox.
To choose the best quality lemons or limes to reap their benefits, pick a heavy fruit with fine skin.
Do Lemons Contain Pectin?
Lemons and limes contain a high amount of pectin, which is why lemon juice is generally used as a natural thickener in jam-making. However, the best part of the lemon which contains the highest amount of pectin is the white pith, called the albedo.
See recipes for spiced plum jam and apricot jam.
How Best to Grate Lemon Zest
- When using the zest, always pick organic (known as 'bio' in France) and unwaxed.
- Can't find unwaxed? Clean off wax from lemons with a scrubbing brush in a basin of hot water.
- To grate lemon zest, grate the yellow or green parts of the skin only and avoid grating the white pith underneath, known as the albedo. This part is bitter to eat and best used to thicken jams and sauces as it has the highest amount of pectin.
What Food Pairs Well with Lemons and Limes?
Lemon is excellent in savoury dishes and pairs well with asparagus, tomatoes, broccoli, potato, avocado, olive, chicken and veal, seafood and fish, eggs, fresh goat's cheese or matured parmesan. It's also delicious paired with aromatic herbs such as parsley, coriander, basil, dill, rosemary, saffron, mint and thyme.
Lemon (and lime) also pairs just as well with sweet foods such as chocolate, white chocolate, blueberry, coconut, almond, orange, and rose.
Lime is particularly good with tropical fruits and its strong acidity can add a saltiness to a salsa.
Lemon Recipes - Savoury Dishes
The following savoury dishes highlight the taste of fresh lemon or lime and pair so well together. We love these particularly zesty lemon recipes for dinner.
A French family classic stew of Blanquette de Veau isn't a Blanquette without lemon. Add it at the end to the best sauce for that exquisite flavour.
Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart - asparagus spears roast directly in the oven on top of this lemon and parmesan cream.
Creamy Lemon Sauce for Spaghetti - this is the most delicious fast food. One of my favourite egg yolk recipes.
Shrimp Cocktail with Dragon Fruit - this ultimate festive appetizer is not just given a tropical makeover. The addition of lime and citrus caviar just take this flavour combination to another level along with wasabi mayonnaise with lime.
Lemon sauce for chicken is so quick and easy and with little ingredients, is added to the stock. Serve with roast chicken or turkey for a real treat.
Asparagus clafoutis with lemon - together with the eggs, this combination is so light and refreshing for any starter or appetizer or even light lunch.
Whole baked sea bass is stuffed with fresh lemon slices and fresh herbs for an easy yet delicious dinner. Surround with potatoes and cherry tomatoes, bake the dish on one tray so you can get on with dessert!
Enjoy lemon slices roasted in the oven with this baked whole sea bream fish Provençal style. Ensure they're organic or unwaxed, as the taste with the fluffy fish is beautiful!
Lemon Recipes for Dessert
The following desserts feature lemon as the top flavour.
Perhaps the best ever lemon tart recipe (tarte au citron) is this one with a little lime. So easy to slice, the pre-baked pâte sucrée is filled with a zingy lemon and lime curd, chilled and served with some zest as decor.
Fiadone is a lemon cheesecake, the classic Corsican dessert you'll find in most typical restaurants in Corsica. With few ingredients, the lemon is an essential ingredient.
Lemon and Blueberry Clafoutis - why wait just for cherry season with the classic French baked custard? It's delicious with blueberries but the lemon is a must.
Creamy Lemon Ice Cream - unlike sorbet, this is the creamiest recipe with lush lemons.
Lemon Cake - this moist French-style cake is made with ground almonds, low in sugar and dribbled with a fresh lemon syrup. Also happens to be gluten-free. This cake is decorated for Easter but it's perfect for birthdays, teatime or dessert at any time of year.
Still on a blueberry theme, try this French bavarois dessert with lemon and coriander seeds which bring out the lemon flavour even more.
Don't forget to squeeze fresh lemon juice (or lime) on our favourite French pancakes or crêpes.
Plus who can resist the most lemony of cocktails, the classic French 75. Discover the real-deal recipe where it was created in Paris.
Add the juice of a lime (and some zest if organic/unwaxed) to these mango cream desserts.
This post was first published 9th September 2021 but is now completely updated.
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