Either it’s August 20 or August 29, but either way… what would we do without lemons. Here’s some historical facts about lemons, with a twist. (Get it? Got it. Good.)

*The origin of the lemon is unknown, though lemons are thought to have first grown in India, northern Myanmar, or China. A genomic study of the lemon indicated it was a hybrid between bitter orange (sour orange) and citron.

*The tradition of urinating

near a lemon tree may be beneficial as urine is a fertilizer. (Sez Wikipedia.)

*Meyer lemons, grown not only for their beautiful and fragrant blossoms but also for the almost-sweet fruit, were contraband in California in the last century. (Here’s what happened.)

*Lemonade became an emblem of the temperance movement. Lucy Webb Hayes, First Lady from 1877 to 1881, bore the nickname “Lemonade Lucy” for her refusal to serve alcohol in the White House.

*”Portable lemonade,” a dry mix of sugar, lemon, and citric acid, could be carried by soldiers and people on the frontier, for a refreshing drink that could also hide the taste of bad water.

Lemons as foodstuffs: Try a Lemon Drop drink of lemon juice, vodka, and simple syrup for a refreshing beverage that’s not too sweet, not too sour. To make your house smell terrific while you’re imbibing your Lemon Drop, my favorite recipe: Zesty Braised Chicken with Lemon and Capers.

Lemon is the secret ingredient. In cooking, the acid in lemon juice enhances the flavors. Add lemon juice to a salad dressing, and suddenly your salad goes from ho-hum to wow! In a sauce, the addition of lemon juice will transform it from being something that drowns a meal to something that brightens it. This one ingredient can save an entire dish.

DIY Limoncello recipe? Vodka, lemon peels, and sugar. And time. Detes.

Wondering if Starbucks has come across this iced lemon coffee recipe… In Portugal and North Africa, mazagran is an invigorating take on lemonade that includes coffee. Mix together ¾ cup of cold-brew coffee with two tablespoons of simple syrup and three to four tablespoons of lemon juice. Pour over ice.

Sources: Here, here, here, and here.