The lemon can be defined as a hybrid of bitter orange and citron, but over the centuries it has become a true independent species.
Belonging to the Rutaceae species, the lemon tree has the almost unique characteristic of blooming continuously: thus, one has the opportunity to see flowers, unripe fruit and ripe fruit in one plant at the same time.
Femminello
Considered one of Italy’s most prized lemon varieties for its organoleptic properties, the Femminello lemon is generally medium-sized, very fragrant and 30 percent juicier than other lemons. The color ranges from green to deep yellow, the skin is even and fine, and the fruit generally has few seeds.
Lemon groves belonging to the “femminello” cultivar grown exclusively in the Syracuse area according to the traditional method give rise to the Limone di Siracusa IGP, which is protected and safeguarded by a Protection Consortium, of which Agricola Lusia is a member as a certified packer.
In addition, the PGI designation certifies that it has been grown, harvested and processed according to strict protocols that are monitored by third-party agencies. The European Union has granted the PGI label to the Syracuse lemon since 2011.
Most of the Syracuse Lemon PGI production is harvested between October and May, when juice, oils and flavor reach their peak. But Syracuse’s “femminello” is different: it produces lemons year-round, in multiple crops, three of which are main crops. Each with its own particularities. It begins with the “
firstflower
” from the first of October. From mid-April comes the “
whitebait
“, and in July the “
verdello
“. Each season gives the lemon its climatic notes, while keeping the quality of the fruit intact.
Eureka
It is one of the most widespread lemon varieties in the world, including countless cultivars (Lisboa, Genoa, etc.) grown mainly in South America (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay) and South Africa.
It has a thick, slightly wrinkled skin and the flesh is juicy, tender and seedless.
It has a characteristic oval shape, tending to be of good size. Present in European markets indicatively from May to November, corresponding to the winter period in the southern hemisphere (counter season).
Up
Introduced commercially in the early 1980s, Fino is a very productive variety, with very uniform, oval-shaped, symmetrical, smooth-skinned fruit of excellent quality. It has high juice content and generally few seeds. It is harvested relatively early, usually as early as late September.
Verna
The Verna variety is, after the “Fino” variety, the second most widely cultivated cultivar in Spain.Originating in Murcia and Alicante, it is a late variety, present in European markets from March to July.
The plant has very vigorous development and assurgent growth with good productivity. The cultivar is characterized by a long persistence of the fruit on the plant, generally leading to fruit of good size, pronounced oval shape, and deep yellow color (unusual for a Summer Lemon in the northern hemisphere).
Conventional
: Produced by conventional agriculture, complying with current Italian legislation on pesticides and good agricultural cultivation practices.
For fruits imported from countries other than Italy, the current EU harmonization rules on permitted pesticide residues are applied.
Chem Free
: product from conventional agriculture not treated post-harvest.
Organic
: a product grown according to the principles of Organic Farming, from farms certified by suitable inspection body. The characteristics of the product and its production methods are indicated by the current Community Regulations, including subsequent amendments and additions, on organic production and labeling.
