My sister left me a couple of Meyer lemons when they visited 2 weeks ago.  A friend had given her several and she brought 2 thinking we might use them for cocktails and then forgot they were in her cooler until she was leaving. I used one of them for a chess pie and it is fantastic.  It’s the first time I’ve ever had a Meyer lemon. So, I had no clue that they are actually different from a regular lemon.  I’ve known a couple of people who have kept them in pots. But, they have never shared the fruit with me. 

After tasting the pie and discovering how different the flavor is, I looked them up and learned that they are not, in fact, lemons.  They are thousands years old Chinese hybrids of citron, mandarin and pomelo brought to the US in 1908 by a man named Frank Meyer.

They do taste citrus-y and there is a floral note that I find delightful.  But, not exactly lemon. More similar to lemon than anything else, though.

I’m going to make lemon bars with the other one and take them to work this weekend.  Chuck is begging me not to leave them here.  He says he has no control over his sweet tooth and my baking is a trial for him.

I would be tempted to grow one. But, it would have to stay inside through the winter and I am cautious about adding another plant that has to have floor space in the house.  They can thrive outside in zones 8-11. But, we’re still a 7b.  8a is creeping up on us with climate change. But, it isn’t here yet. Additionally, they grow to 8′-10′ and moving that in and out would be a real pain in the back.