A few notes on… Lemons
Easily overlooked, the abundant and familiar lemon packs a punch when it comes to flavour and fragrance. Fresh, sharp and enlivening - it’s liquid sunshine.
Vibrant yellow in colour and refreshing in scent, lemon essential oil is highly valued in aromatherapy for its cleansing and energising properties.
It provides a zesty top note for fragrance lovers and positively shines when layered above floral and green notes – try our Juniper Leaf, Coriander & Lemon Candle - and unlike so many other plant-based scents, the aroma of lemon essential oil is almost the same as that of the ripe fruit’s peel.
The luscious lemon tree grows best in warm sunny climes and its fruits are harvested in the Summer when still green, before ripening to yellow and giving us true juicy lemons. Only recently have scientists discovered that citrus fruits can trace their roots to the southeast foothills of the Himalayas, according to DNA evidence outlined in a study, published in Nature journal.
Rich in antioxidants, lemon essential oil is detoxifying for the skin, antibacterial, antifungal and an astringent. Historically, it has many uses - in Japan, lemon essential oil is often diffused in workplaces to help improve concentration.
Like all essential oils, it should only be applied directly to the skin when mixed with a carrier oil (such as jojoba oil or olive oil) to dilute the potency, particularly for the face, neck and chest.
Needless to say, we love a fresh slice in chilled drink, but here’s our favourite (and super simple) recipes, for lemon-infused olive oil, perfect for dressing tasty Mediterranean inspired salads…
Lemon Infused Olive Oil
Peel well-ripened, unwaxed lemons with a peeler (avoid the white pith as it tastes bitter)
Add the peelings and a few grinds of black pepper to a pan filled with good quality virgin olive oil
Stir, and let simmer over a very low heat for 15-20 minutes (don’t leave unattended)
Strain out the peelings and transfer the infused oil to a bottle or container
Your delicious oil will keep in the fridge for a few weeks… enjoy!
@ggrafakos
