A guide to French lemons and limes including the Citron de Menton, health benefits, zest tips, food pairings and easy French 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
Makrut limes (also traditionally known as Kaffir lime) 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?
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 February to March.
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 are often enjoyed in warm water in the morning and are a refreshing way to add vitamin C and flavour without added sugar.
Do Lemons Contain Pectin?
Lemons and limes naturally contain pectin, although the highest concentration is found in the white pith (albedo) beneath the peel.
See recipes for spiced plum jam and apricot jam.
How to Zest a Lemon and Avoid Chemicals
If you're using lemon or lime zest, choose organic (called bio in France) and unwaxed whenever possible. Organic citrus can still carry natural pesticide residues, dirt from handling, or a light food-grade wax coating, so washing is still important.
- Choose the best citrus: Pick lemons or limes that feel heavy for their size with smooth, fine skin, as these often contain more juice.
- Using the zest? Choose organic and unwaxed whenever possible.
- Can't find unwaxed lemons? Soak in warm water with 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda for 5-10 minutes, then scrub well under running water with a vegetable brush or clean cloth. Scrubbing removes surface wax and residues more effectively than soaking alone.
- Dry before zesting: A dry lemon is easier to grate and prevents the zest from clumping.
- How to grate lemon zest: Grate only the yellow (or green) outer layer and avoid the white pith underneath, known as the albedo. The pith tastes bitter, although it's useful in jams and marmalades because it naturally contains 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 bright acidity adds freshness to salsas, marinades and dressings.
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.
Lemon Chicken Thighs are baked in the oven in a delicious lemon, herb and honey marinade that create a crispy skin and tender meat underneath.
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.
Tropical Shrimp Cocktail - 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.
White 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.
Our best ever lemon tart recipe (tarte au citron) 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.
Enjoy these lemon madeleines - in a light sponge served in the typical scalloped madeleine tins and with their classic 'hump'.
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.
Lemon Cake - this moist French-style cake is made with ground almonds, low in sugar and dribbled with a fresh lemon syrup. This gluten-free 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.
Add the juice of a lime (and some zest if organic/unwaxed) to these mango cream desserts.
For the most lemony of cocktails, discover the classic French 75 where it was created in Paris.
French Madeleines are one of the most popular teacakes in France, made famous by Proust. This recipe is made with lemon zest which adds a lovely acidity to the cakes.
Enjoy the French Citronnade, our answer to a traditional lemonade recipe, using 2 lemons.
This post was first published 9th September 2021 but is now completely updated.
