Lemon vs. Citrus — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 13, 2024
Lemon is a sour, yellow fruit, while citrus is a category that includes lemons and similar fruits.
Difference Between Lemon and Citrus
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lemon is a specific type of citrus fruit known for its bright yellow color, sour taste, and high vitamin C content. It's widely used in cooking, baking, and as a flavoring agent in beverages and foods. Citrus, on the other hand, is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs that includes a wide range of fruits, including lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, and tangerines.
Lemons are characterized by their thick rind and acidic juice, which is both flavorful and beneficial for health. Citrus fruits are noted for their fragrant aroma, juicy interior, and rich vitamin content. They are versatile in culinary uses and have various health benefits due to their high vitamin C and antioxidant content.
While lemon is a single type within the citrus category, citrus fruits as a whole share some common characteristics, such as a leathery rind and segmented flesh that contains a significant amount of citric acid. This acid is responsible for the tart flavor common to these fruits. Lemons are often singled out for their particularly high acidity and strong flavor, which sets them apart from sweeter citrus varieties.
Lemons are often used for their juice and zest in recipes to add a bright, acidic flavor to dishes and drinks. Citrus fruits, more broadly, can be used in a wide variety of ways, from eating fresh to being used in cooking, baking, and in beverages. Each type of citrus offers its unique flavor profile, which can range from the intense sourness of lemons and limes to the sweet and tangy flavors of oranges and grapefruits.
The cultivation of lemon trees and other citrus fruits has a significant agricultural impact worldwide, with different regions specializing in different types of citrus. Lemons, for example, thrive in Mediterranean climates and are extensively cultivated in Italy, Spain, and California. The citrus category, as a whole, is diverse, with varieties suited to a range of climates, leading to their widespread availability and consumption across the globe.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Specific fruit
Genus of fruits
Flavor
Sour, acidic
Ranges from sour to sweet
Color
Typically yellow
Varies (yellow, green, orange, etc.)
Vitamin C Content
High
Generally high, varies by type
Uses
Cooking, baking, beverages
Broad culinary uses, fresh consumption
Characteristics
Thick rind, acidic juice
Leathery rind, segmented flesh, citric acid
Varieties
Primarily one, with some variation in size and tartness
Many (e.g., oranges, limes, grapefruits, tangerines)
Compare with Definitions
Lemon
A yellow citrus fruit known for its sour taste and high vitamin C content.
She squeezed a lemon into the water for some flavor.
Citrus
Features a variety of flavors, from sour to sweet.
The citrus family offers a wide range of flavors for cooking.
Lemon
Used predominantly for its juice and zest in culinary applications.
Lemon zest adds a fresh flavor to baked goods.
Citrus
Offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidants and vitamins.
Consuming citrus fruits can boost your immune system.
Lemon
Grown in warm, temperate regions and used worldwide.
Lemons from California are prized for their juiciness.
Citrus
Cultivated in diverse climates, leading to a wide availability.
Citrus orchards are common in both Florida and Spain.
Lemon
Characterized by its bright yellow color and acidic juice.
A ripe lemon has a vibrant yellow color and juicy interior.
Citrus
Used in a variety of culinary and non-culinary applications.
Citrus oils are often used in cleaning products for their scent.
Lemon
Has health benefits, including aiding digestion and improving skin quality.
Drinking lemon water in the morning can help with digestion.
Citrus
A genus of fruit that includes lemons, oranges, limes, and more.
Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C.
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.
Citrus
Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes.
Lemon
A spiny evergreen tree (Citrus limon) native to Asia, widely cultivated for its oval yellow fruit.
Citrus
Any of various evergreen, usually spiny shrubs or trees of the genus Citrus and other genera in the family Rutaceae, such as the grapefruit, lemon, and orange, native to South and Southeast Asia and widely cultivated for their juicy edible fruits with a leathery aromatic rind.
Lemon
The fruit of this tree, having an aromatic rind and juicy, acid pulp.
Citrus
The fruit of any of these plants.
Lemon
Lemon yellow.
Citrus
Of or relating to any of the citrus plants or their fruits.
Lemon
(Informal) One that is unsatisfactory or defective
Their new car turned out to be a lemon.
Citrus
Any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae.
Lemon
Lemon-yellow.
Citrus
The fruit of such plants, generally spherical, oblate, or prolate, consisting of an outer glandular skin (called zest), an inner white skin (called pith or albedo), and generally between 8 and 16 sectors filled with pulp consisting of cells with one end attached to the inner skin. Citrus fruits include orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and citron.
Lemon
Made from lemons.
Citrus
Of, relating to, or similar to citrus plants or fruit.
Lemon
Tasting or smelling like lemons.
Citrus
A genus of trees including the orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, citron, grapefruit, etc., originally natives of southern Asia.
Lemon
A yellowish citrus fruit.
Citrus
Any tree belonging to the genus Citrus, having leathery evergreen leaves and bearing a soft pulpy fruit covered by a thick skin; - called also citrus tree.
Lemon
A semitropical evergreen tree, Citrus limon, that bears such fruits.
Citrus
The fruit of a tree belonging to the genus Citrus, having a thick shiny skin and a soft, sweet to tart pulp.
Lemon
A taste or flavour/flavor of lemons.
Citrus
Any of numerous fruits of the genus Citrus having thick rind and juicy pulp; grown in warm regions
Lemon
A more or less bright shade of yellow associated with lemon fruits.
Citrus
Any of numerous tropical usually thorny evergreen trees of the genus Citrus having leathery evergreen leaves and widely cultivated for their juicy edible fruits having leathery aromatic rinds
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.
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
Common Curiosities
How are lemons used differently from other citrus fruits?
Lemons are particularly valued for their juice and zest in culinary uses, whereas other citrus fruits may be consumed more frequently fresh.
What makes a lemon different from other citrus fruits?
Lemons are known for their sour taste and high acidity, distinguishing them from sweeter citrus fruits like oranges.
Can I substitute one citrus fruit for another in recipes?
While substitutions can work, they may alter the flavor profile due to differences in sweetness and acidity.
Can I grow citrus fruits, including lemons, at home?
Yes, in suitable climates or indoors with enough light; lemons and other citrus can be grown in pots.
What is the nutritional difference between lemons and oranges?
Oranges are higher in sugar and vitamin C, while lemons have a higher concentration of citric acid.
What's the difference between a citrus juicer and a regular juicer?
A citrus juicer is specifically designed to extract juice from citrus fruits efficiently, often requiring manual pressing.
Are all citrus fruits sour like lemons?
Not all; citrus fruits range in flavor from the sourness of lemons and limes to the sweetness of oranges and tangerines.
Why are citrus fruits considered healthy?
They are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, which contribute to immune function and overall health.
Why do some recipes specifically call for lemon juice?
Lemon juice provides a distinct sourness and acidity that can enhance the flavor profile of a dish.
Can citrus fruits help with weight loss?
Citrus fruits can support weight loss efforts due to their fiber content and low calories, aiding in fullness and reduced calorie intake.
Is there a best time of year to buy citrus fruits?
Citrus fruits have varying peak seasons; however, many are winter crops in the Northern Hemisphere.
Are there seedless varieties of citrus fruits?
Yes, there are seedless varieties of some citrus fruits, including lemons and oranges.
How do citrus fruits affect skin health?
The vitamin C in citrus fruits can improve skin health by promoting collagen production and reducing the risk of premature aging.
How do I store citrus fruits to maximize their shelf life?
Citrus fruits can be stored in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator to extend their freshness.
Do lemons have more health benefits than other citrus fruits?
Lemons have unique health benefits, such as aiding digestion, but all citrus fruits offer significant health contributions.
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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.
