Why are lemons sour?
We all know about the classic lemon. To some, this question may even seem ridiculous. It’s the acidity levels, right? But what makes the acidity in lemons higher than most fruits? Let’s find out.
Here are some fun facts about lemons and their acidity:
- Lemons are believed to be a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron
- Lemons contain 5-6% citric acid
- Because of the high acidity, lemons can be used for cleaning
- The highest producers of lemons are China, India, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil
And if you wanted to get science-y:
Lemons have been found to naturally get their sour tastes, to the point where it’s in their genes! The genes CitPH1 and CitPH5 (main causes of acidity) are highly expressed in sour varieties of citrus, like lemons. Researchers also found that mutations causing higher levels of regulation (control) in these genes can cause a sweeter taste. It is possible that these mutated fruits can be bred with more sour citruses, although this could cause an ‘acidless’ citrus, with no kick. And although we all love a sweet fruit, a citrus hardly counts if it’s not at least a bit sour.
So now we know why lemons are sour! Of course, they still make delicious lemonade! Adding sugars and honeys can always sweeten your treat or drink, but lemons will always be sour to their core.
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/lemons.html
