Citron vs. Lemon — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
Citron is a large, thick-skinned fruit with minimal pulp, while Lemon is a smaller citrus fruit known for its sour juice.
Difference Between Citron and Lemon
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Citron is an ancient citrus fruit that has been cultivated for thousands of years, with origins traced back to Southeast Asia. Lemon, on the other hand, is believed to have originated from a hybrid between citron and other citrus species.
The Citron fruit is distinctively larger with a thick, bumpy rind and has minimal pulp. Lemon is more commonly known and is characterized by its bright yellow color, thinner skin, and a good amount of sour juice.
In culinary applications, Citron is mainly used for its zest or candied rind, while Lemon juice and zest are widely utilized in various dishes and beverages.
Medicinally, Citron has been used in traditional remedies and is known for its fragrance, while Lemon is popular for its vitamin C content and potential health benefits.
Culturally, Citron plays a significant role in Jewish rituals, particularly during Sukkot. Lemon, meanwhile, is iconic in numerous cultures for its versatility in both culinary and non-culinary uses.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Southeast Asia
Hybrid (possibly between citron and another citrus)
Appearance
Large, bumpy, thick-skinned
Bright yellow, thinner skin
Usage in Cooking
Zest, candied rind
Juice, zest
Medicinal Value
Traditional remedies, fragrance
Vitamin C, health benefits
Cultural Significance
Significant in Jewish rituals (Sukkot)
Versatile in various cultures
Compare with Definitions
Citron
Citron originates from Southeast Asia.
The ancient trade routes spread citron from Southeast Asia to other parts of the world.
Lemon
Lemon can also imply something that's defective or unsatisfactory.
He bought a car that turned out to be a lemon.
Citron
Citron has minimal pulp compared to other citrus fruits.
While juicing, one might find that a citron yields very little juice.
Lemon
Lemon is a sour citrus fruit.
She squeezed a lemon into her tea for extra flavor.
Citron
Citron is primarily used for its aromatic zest.
Chefs prize citron zest for its unique flavor and aroma.
Lemon
Lemon zest and juice are culinary staples.
The recipe calls for both lemon juice and zest.
Citron
Citron has significant cultural importance in Jewish traditions.
During Sukkot, a citron is used in religious ceremonies.
Lemon
Lemon trees are commonly grown in temperate climates.
In her backyard, she had a thriving lemon tree.
Citron
The citron (Citrus medica) is a large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind. It is one of the original citrus fruits from which all other citrus types developed through natural hybrid speciation or artificial hybridization.
Lemon
The lemon (Citrus limon) is a species of small evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to South Asia, primarily Northeast India (Assam). The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses.
Citron
A thorny evergreen shrub or small tree (Citrus medica) native to India and widely cultivated for its large lemonlike fruits that have a thick warty rind.
Lemon
A spiny evergreen tree (Citrus limon) native to Asia, widely cultivated for its oval yellow fruit.
Citron
The fruit of this plant, whose rind is often candied and used in confections and fruitcakes.
Lemon
The fruit of this tree, having an aromatic rind and juicy, acid pulp.
Citron
A globose watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) having white flesh that is candied or pickled.
Lemon
Lemon yellow.
Citron
A grayish-green yellow.
Lemon
(Informal) One that is unsatisfactory or defective
Their new car turned out to be a lemon.
Citron
A greenish yellow colour.
Lemon
Lemon-yellow.
Citron
A small citrus tree, Citrus medica.
Lemon
Made from lemons.
Citron
The fruit of a citron tree.
Lemon
Tasting or smelling like lemons.
Citron
The candied rind of the citron fruit.
Lemon
A yellowish citrus fruit.
Citron
Of a greenish yellow colour.
Lemon
A semitropical evergreen tree, Citrus limon, that bears such fruits.
Citron
A fruit resembling a lemon, but larger, and pleasantly aromatic; it is produced by the citron tree (Citrus medica). The thick rind, when candied, is the citron of commerce. The fruit was once called the lime.
Lemon
A taste or flavour/flavor of lemons.
Citron
A citron tree, Citrus medica.
Lemon
A more or less bright shade of yellow associated with lemon fruits.
Citron
A citron melon.
Lemon
(slang) A defective or inadequate item or individual.
He didn’t realise until he’d paid for it that the car was a lemon.
Citron
Large lemonlike fruit with thick aromatic rind; usually preserved
Lemon
Favor.
A thousand quid for that motor? Do me a lemon! I could get it for half that.
Citron
Thorny evergreen small tree or shrub of India widely cultivated for its large lemonlike fruits that have thick warty rind
Lemon
(fandom) A piece of fanfiction involving explicit sex.
Citron
Citron is a large citrus fruit with a thick rind.
The citron's rind is often candied for desserts.
Lemon
Containing or having the flavour/flavor and/or scent of lemons.
Lemon
Of the pale yellow colour/color of lemons.
Lemon
Smart; cheeky, vocal.
Lemon
(transitive) To flavour with lemon.
You can start the vegetables cooking while you are lemoning the fish.
Lemon
An oval or roundish fruit resembling the orange, and containing a pulp usually intensely acid. It is produced by a tropical tree of the genus Citrus, the common fruit known in commerce being that of the species Citrus Limonum or Citrus Medica (var. Limonum). There are many varieties of the fruit, some of which are sweet.
Lemon
The tree which bears lemons; the lemon tree.
Lemon
Yellow oval fruit with juicy acidic flesh
Lemon
A strong yellow color
Lemon
A small evergreen tree that originated in Asia but is widely cultivated for its fruit
Lemon
A distinctive tart flavor characteristic of lemons
Lemon
An artifact (especially an automobile) that is defective or unsatisfactory
Lemon
Lemon is known for its high vitamin C content.
Drinking lemon water can be a good source of vitamin C.
Common Curiosities
How does the Lemon differ in origin?
Lemon is believed to have originated from a hybrid, possibly between citron and another citrus.
What is Citron primarily used for in cooking?
Citron is mainly used for its aromatic zest and candied rind.
Does Citron have any cultural significance?
Yes, Citron plays a pivotal role in Jewish rituals, especially during Sukkot.
How about Lemon's cultural significance?
Lemon is versatile and iconic in numerous cultures, both for culinary and non-culinary applications.
What is the origin of Citron?
Citron originates from Southeast Asia.
What is the texture of Citron's skin compared to Lemon?
Citron has a thick, bumpy rind, while Lemon has a thinner skin.
How much pulp does a Citron typically have?
Citron has minimal pulp compared to other citrus fruits.
Do Citron and Lemon belong to the same citrus family?
Yes, both Citron and Lemon belong to the citrus family.
What are the primary culinary uses of Lemon?
Lemon is widely used for its sour juice and zest.
What is another meaning for the word "Lemon" in colloquial language?
In colloquial language, a "lemon" can refer to something that's defective or unsatisfactory, especially a faulty product.
What are the health benefits of Lemon?
Lemon is known for its high vitamin C content and various potential health benefits.
Can you interchange Citron and Lemon in recipes?
Not always, as they have different flavors and characteristics. It depends on the specific recipe and desired taste.
Is Citron as sour as Lemon?
No, Citron is not as sour as Lemon.
Can you grow both Citron and Lemon trees in the same climate?
Generally, yes, both thrive in temperate climates, but specific conditions may vary.
How do Citron and Lemon trees differ in appearance?
While both are citrus trees, Citron trees typically have larger, more elongated leaves than Lemon trees.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
