My Quest for a Meyer Lemon Tree
My curiosity was peaked years ago when learning of Meyer lemons. My ears perked up and my eyes popped when I heard my friend Nancy, last year, chime, “I have quite a harvest of Meyer lemons this year!”Really?
Nancy is a gardener. I have heard about her incredible outdoor garden. It is famous in these parts. But, apparently, through our long and sometimes dreary Alberta winters, she has found ways to nurture her love of gardening indoors. She has a Meyer Lemon Tree. I want one! After I discovered her ability to harvest lemons indoors last year, I have been on a quest to find my own tree and grow my own lemons. I have my name in at every garden shop in town. Apparently they only come in once a year… and this is about when. My quest for the Meyer Lemon Tree, currently unrequited. I keep my phone nearby.
However, the evening I met Netty Wiebe (post forthcoming), Nancy arrived with a small bag and presented it to me in a very casual manner: ” a little something for you, Valerie.” For me? A little something? Inside of the little bag, lying quietly at the bottom, was a beautiful fleshy globe of citrus sunshine! Oh, my! A Meyer Lemon grown on the Alberta prairies: in Nancy’s house! Now, this is definitely “a little something!” What an incredible gift! I can only imagine the tender loving care that it took to encourage the little blossom into this blessed golden goodness. How could she part with it? How lucky am I?
And I savoured the fruit for a few days, whole, on my counter. Sniffing, and scratching… but, not wanting to scar its beautiful zest. Still, eventually, one must. And, I did. Nancy’s friend had told me to bite into it like an apple. I was too timid. It looked like a lemon. It smelled like a lemon, though less acidic. And the taste?
More rounded than the lemons I am used to. Less sour, sweeter, yet not sweet. Tangy, but not sour. Lemony, but with a sophisticated subtlety. Delicious.
This was most definitely the most lovely, selfless and heartfelt gift I have had given to me in a long while. Thank you, Nancy. You have opened up a whole new world to me.
For some, the Meyer lemon is much more accessible. Is it common some places? As I was posting this, I found Sommer’s exotic recipe for Meyer lemon and black pepper sorbet here.
Meanwhile, I will continue my quest for the Meyer Lemon tree!
I certainly could use some tasty bark around here to sharpen my teeth on!
I was first introduced to Meyer Lemon in SF and immediately fell in love but it wasn’t until about a year later that I found them in my local market…and then, sadly, not again. I, too, wish I had a tree!
I know why they are so amazing but I think the fact that their season is so fleeting like ramps and other hard to get produce items makes them that much more exotic and desirable. Just a theory I am working on.
Hey Valerie! I love Meyer lemons too, and I sprouted a seed from a meyer lemon I bought from whole foods. It’s outside since the temperatures are right, but I should probably bring it in since it’s starting to get a bit hot for meyer lemon (they prefer indoor like temps between 50 and 80 degrees next to a sunny window as I’m sure you know;-).
Hence if you can’t get one from a store, just rinse the seeds and do a Google search on how to plant. I recommend a pot that is at least 18 inches wide and deep with rich soil designed for citrus. Some people like a bigger pot though to allow the tree to really flourish and fruit well. Yeah!
XOXO,
Stella
I don’t know if I’ve ever had a Meyer Lemon before. Even if I did, I was probably too ignorant to even realize what a treasure I was eating. Although ever since food blogging I have read many posts on this little gem and it certainly has peaked my interest. I certainly have my fingers crossed for you and hope that you will get that phone call soon. I’d love to see what you’d make with these beautiful fruits. Knowing you though, it’d probably be something way out of my league. Ha! If I ever do see one while shopping somewhere (very slight chance, I know) I’ll be sure to call you. I have your number on speed dial now. Lol, just kidding, but I do have your number :-). I’ll definitely keep my eye out for you. What an addition this would be to add to that magnificent garden you have already.
Meyer lemons growing in Alberta, well if they can grow bananas in the Okanagan I would say that everything is possible!!!
Now, who is growing bananas in the Okanagan, Valerie?
🙂
Valerie
We’ve been growing bananas here on the BC Coast for years. The fruit is small, though and not like what you find in grocery stores.
What? Really? What kind? Where? Do you have any photos? I am astounded!
Would love to learn more, Marina.
🙂
Valerie
Homegrown Mayer lemons…wow! My mouth waters terribly now.
What a great story! I often see Meyer lemons here, but they certainly don’t come cheap. I bought my mother a passionfruit vine for Mother’s Day one year and we are still waiting for it to fruit, though it is enormous.
🙂
p.s. the meringue mostly melted into the bread, leaving it very moist. It is the oddest thing.
Meyer lemons seem to be all the rage amongst foodies. I’ve never seen one in the UK (though I have seen Amalfi lemons in London). Good luck on getting your tree, how awesome would that be?
*kisses* HH
I’m on a quest for a meyer lemon tree also. I am absolutely in love with them!
I want Meyer lemon tree too!!! I can’t seem to find them in NY so my plan is try and make friend with bloggers who live in warmer weather. Hoping eventually they will send me some…haha.
We have meyers easily accessible here, but citrus is king here. They’d even an “orange county”!
Valerie,
Here is a link that lists Meyer Lemon Trees: http://www.floraexotica.ca/Fruit.htm Maybe we could take a cruise and pick them up, save on shipping (or not). You have peeked my interest – hmmmmmmmmmm – where could I put a lemon tree, and could I keep it alive?
P.S. – Nice pic in the Edmonton Journal!
Wait! Stop! Don’t order! Just found some locally and had a couple put on hold.
What a gift!
Thank you Candace!
I love local readers!
Look at what has just happened. Candace located two trees about 5 feet tall at Greenlands Garden Centre for 90 dollars each. I am headed over!
🙂
Valerie
O lucky you! I can’t even get meyer lemons here. In fact I have never been able to find any… They sure do look delicious and I am gonna taste one at some point… someday!
Your friend must have the greenest of green thumbs to grow a lemon tree indoors! I hope you find one and are equally successful! If I had a greenhouse I’m sure I would do the same. That is one, beautiful, Meyer lemon. We had some in the store about a month ago – gone now.
Loving lemons can take such interesting proportions.. if I see a Meyer lemon at the store (which is frequent ) then maybe I will buy it, maybe not; my friend anne-marie when she visited Italy and the Amalfi coast, brought back a bunch of lemons back to Beirut and baked with them. She claimed they were as big as grapefruits and incredibly fragrant. what can I say? I love citrus but not to that extent; hope you get your tree soon!
Meyer lemons are great. They are a cross between an orange and a lemon brought to America by Mr. Meyer! I don’t know I have the tenacity to grow it in my house though! Good for you.
To replace a box of chocolates or even a bouquet of flowers…a bag of meyer lemons from a friend would probably bring a small tear to my eye.
I’ve had the pleasure to have a meyer tree at an inn’s garden during my European travels…very scentful and memorable.
I can’t blame you for wanting a sunshiny citrus joy in your house.
I suppose with your tenacity Valerie…we can all expect a package of sunshine from you sometime soon? LOL
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
This post should be labeled: An Ode to Meyer Lemons” 🙂
I love ’em too, Valerie. So pleased one of your readers found a source for you. Bloggers never cease to amaze me.
Good luck with your new purchase!
Valerie, I LOVE THIS POST! I just posted my thought on Meyer lemons. They are truly a new passion. Hope you get your tree!
…thanks for the link. 🙂
I never imagined anyone in Canada could grow a lemon tree. You’ve inspired me!
Oh Valerie what a wonderful friend to share such beauties, congrats!!! Candance has pulled through, please let us know if you…take care, I cannot wait to see what fab recipes come with your meyers.
sweetlife
have a great weekend!!
Myer lemons seem to be so in vogue at the moment aren’t they & yet, I don’t know if I’ve ever sunk my teeth into one either. Having gifts given with such warmth & ‘giving’ is such a special treat, no wonder your feeling so happy Val 🙂
Valerie: Meyer lemons–so happy looking and tasty. You can also get one delivered to you for about $35.00 at http://www.floraexotica.ca/Fruit-Citrus.htm Also, I posted my gougere recipe in my comment section just for you. If I could send seeds across the border, I would do so but unfortunately not.
Susan!
What a sweetheart you are. I can’t wait to make those. I must get to that website to see about the lemon tree you mentioned for that price! You are definitely a WEALTH of information!
🙂
Valerie
Your friend could not have picked a more deserving foodie to share these globes of lemony delight with!
Love them for their sophisticated delicate flavors and can’t wait to see what you do with yours. For some reason I haven’t had any this year 🙂
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
We have a meyer lemon tree in our yard that is in blossom right now. They really are wonderful with a thinner rind than a regular lemon and of course sweeter as well. They make amazing curd, limoncello and Shaker lemon pies. I’m anxious to hear of your success growing one indoors!
I adore using Meyer lemons, they sure add such unique flavors to both savory and sweet dishes.
For the first time last year I made a lemon poundcake with Meyer lemons. Delicious!
Teacher Cooks: Is that pound cake better with Meyer lemons than with lemon lemons?
🙂
Valerie
Meyer Lemon are so very delightful 🙂
These lemons seem to be a huge craze among the people out here.I never heard of something like that before coming here.Just recently got introduced to them.I havent tasted one as yet or maybe I have somewhere and never gave it a thought out of unawareness.
You are lucky to have a friend providing you a fresh stock.I think I have to get my hands on these soon to relish the goodness.Thanks for all that info.
I hope you are having a nice weekend.
I’m so glad you had a chance to savor this wonderful fruit, even if you are still looking for a tree of your own (do you have a greenhouse, by the way??). We can find Meyer lemons at specialty stores around here, but they’re a bit more tart than I think a really good Meyer lemon. Their skins seem thicker, and I don’t think I’d bite into one like an apple. A fresh, homegrown Meyer lemon is a beautiful gift, indeed 🙂
I really do love your writing, Valerie. I’ll cross my fingers that THIS is the year you get your Meyer lemon tree! Besides the fact that you would enjoy it, I can’t wait to see what you would make with the fruit! Selfish, I know 🙂
Take care, Valerie!
My in-laws who live in California have a very prolific Meyer Lemon tree. Each time we visit at harvest time, they load up a big box of lemons for us to take home. Lucky us!
I had my first Meyer Lemon this year. Kim from a Rustic Bistro sent me a box, and I loved them. I wish we both had those trees in our yards 🙂 Your pictures are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing with me tonight. I’m in the need of some comfort…and you are one of the blogs I know I can turn to. I hope you have a great start to your week. Blessings and love.
I too love Meyer lemons. I would love to have a greenhouse full of them. The color, taste and smell are amazing.
I love the flavor… it is fantastic!
What a lovely gift! I have heard great things about Meyer lemons but I’ve never tasted one so I have no idea how to tell what is what. One day I will. Good luck on your quest!
It simply boggles the mind that your friend could grow citrus in Alberta, even indoors, and how generous of her to share her “gems” with you. My own year-long quest even to locate a Meyer lemon to taste for the very first time has been a fruitless (ha!) one so far, and your description of the flavor makes me more determined than ever to do so. You’ve inspired me. I’m going to study up, see if they will grow here in Florida (surely they must), and try to locate a sapling too!
Would love to have lemon tree in my backyard. . .I can’t belive she grows these in Albert. . .hmm maybe i need to try this indoor thing. Never thought of it. Great post!
Val..would you believe I’ve never tried a meyer lemon? I’m dying to, but I never seem to be able to find them! I love your description, and now I’m really dying to try one! IF you succeed in growing a tree in ‘balmy’ Canada, will you send me some? ;D Actually, my friend’s son has a tangerine tree growing in their living room. No chance of fruit, but we’re hoping!!
I want you and Nancy for my friends………On my US trip, I SEARCHED for Meyer lemons everywhere – not even one to be found. Apparently, I lucked out and missed the season!
Your pictures are so awesome!
I just read a lovely post of LeQuan’s about her visit to your home for an all-day baking extravaganza. How lucky! The breads looked stunning.
Meyer lemon trees are everywhere in Northern California. I’d never considered growing one indoors, though it makes perfect sense. You could put it outside over the summer.
Hope that you get one soon.
Hey Valerie, I just came by to see how you’re doing. I hope all is well with you, and I will be back soon to see what you’re up to… Yes!
XOXO, Stella
That would be a little bit of Arizona right in your own back yard. Now, go grow a coconut tree too. hehe oxox
This may be redundant now, but I just came from the Home Depot in Edmonton [around Stony Plain Road and 173rd Street and they have Meyer lemon trees….about three feet tall…$29.98….In bloom [smells wonderful] and some fruits growing near the top. It is snowing like mad, so to have the wonderful scent is like creating my own Spring!!
Hope this helps if people are still looking for a tree.
🙂 Doug
Thank you, Doug!
Never redundant! I think I will head over and get another as my tree met a sad death – more than half way there when I bought it.
🙂
Valerie
I was fortunate enough to come across a Meyer lemon tree at my local Home Depot in Southern Alberta. My 4 year old son is absolutely obsessed with lemons, so we mostly picked it up with him in mind. We keep it outside on our front step and it’s been thriving! The blossoms are the most beautiful thing I have ever smelled! We have small little limes on the tree at the moment, but I cannot wait until the lemons are ready to harvest. I was originally told that I could plant my lemon tree in my yard and that it’ll come back year after year from the sales team at Home Depot. But after reasearching, I know that’s not the case. I plan on replanting it into a much larger pot soon. I’ll be keeping it out doors as long as I can before having to bring it indoors from the harsh winter. Gorgeous little tree, that’s for sure!
Good for you, Kendra
You will have to do a complete debugging process when you bring it in – it will need a super super sunny corner to thrive and then all of the fertilizing and soil stuff necessary. My friend, Nancy, has trees thriving that she sets out every summer. I’ve tried three time. Not a sunny enough spot in my house during the winter months. 🙁