Numerous types of lemons are cultivated worldwide. Although their sour taste is the same, one variety of lemon may differ from another regarding appearance, flesh, and acidic state.
Here you can learn about 20 lemon varieties which are originated from different countries around the world.
Table of Contents
- 1. Avalon Lemons
- 2. Baboon Lemons
- 3. Bearss Lemons
- 4. Buddha’s Hand Lemons
- 5. Bush Lemons
- 6. Citron Lemons
- 7. Dorshapo Lemons
- 8. Eureka Lemons
- 9. Femminello Lemons
- 10. Fino Citron Lemons
- 11. Greek Citron Lemons
- 12. Interdonato Lemons
- 13. Limetta Lemons
- 14. Lisbon Lemons
- 15. Meyer Lemons
- 16. Ponderosa Lemons
- 17. Primofiori Lemons
- 18. Verna Lemons
- 19. Villafranca Lemons
- 20. Yen Ben Lemons
1. Avalon Lemons

Avalon or Avon lemon is originated from Florida. It bears some similar traits like other varieties of lemon, especially Lisbon and Eureka. You can easily spot Avalon produce in the supermarket as concentrate juice.
2. Baboon Lemons

Baboon is a native lemon variety of Brazil. This fruit has bright yellow skin and sour taste that resembles the taste of lime.
Both the rind and the pulps of Baboon lemon can be used as an ingredient to make various types of sauce, including pasta and barbeque sauce.
3. Bearss Lemons

Bearss is originated from Italy. However, because its actual variety is no longer exist, this lemon is transferred and cultivated in Florida. In addition to its juicy pulps, bearrs lemon is processed for its rind that is rich in lemon oil.
4. Buddha’s Hand Lemons

This lemon variety is indigenous to Himalayan lower regions. It is also known as Finger Citron in several Asian countries.
Buddha’s Hand is particularly used for temple offering. It also symbolizes happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture.
5. Bush Lemons

Bush lemon comes from the subtropical areas of Australia. This variety is also called rough lemon because of its thick and hard skin.
While its concentrate for juice is low, bush lemon flesh has a stronger taste that can be a good addition to various savory dishes.
6. Citron Lemons

Originated from India and Himalayas, citron is the main variety of Buddha’s Hand and some other lemon types, such as Corsican, Greek Citron, and Yemenite Citron.
This variety is considered a large lemon since its weight can reach up to 8-10 pounds.
7. Dorshapo Lemons

Dorshapo is a Brazilian lemon cultivar that was developed in 1914. The word “dorshapo” actually derives from the names of three plant explorers who developed this variety: Dorsett, Shamel, and Popenoe. Dorshapo taste is less acidic than some other types of lemons.
8. Eureka Lemons

Eureka is a sweet variety of lemon that bears all year round from a thorn-less tree. It is one of the American lemons that now spread widely in other continents.
In 1858, the initial variety of Eureka lemon was cultivated in Los Angeles, California. Later, in 1877, a horticulturist named Thomas Garey also propagated this variety.
9. Femminello Lemons

Belongs to the medium-size lemon type, Femminello is one of the oldest lemon cultivars in Italy.
This variety is largely grown in the country and makes up almost three-quarters of Italy’s lemon production per year. Femminello has thick skin and more acidic taste.
10. Fino Citron Lemons

This variety is less popular to grow because it is born on a tree that has large thorns. In spite of it, the pulps of fino citron produce juice with good quality. Fino is classified into the small lemon type that has a high acidic state.
11. Greek Citron Lemons

Greek Citron is also known as Corfu Etrog or etrog for short. As the name suggests, this variety was firstly cultivated in Greece circa 500 BCE. It is later exported to several European countries to be used as a fruit offering in the Jewish Succoth ritual.
12. Interdonato Lemons

Another lemon cultivar from Italy is Interdonato. This variety is largely found on the island of Sicily. It is a large lemon that has smooth skin and almost seedless flesh. Despite its delightful look, Interdonato is not good enough for juice.
13. Limetta Lemons

Limetta is a native lemon variety of Southeast Asia but also grown in India and some areas in the Mediterranean. This variety is popularly known as a sweet lemon because of its non-acidic taste.
You don’t need to juice the pulps to enjoy the taste of limetta since the fruit can be eaten fresh from the tree.
14. Lisbon Lemons

Lisbon is one of the most popular varieties of lemon. Although it is originated from Portugal, this fruit is mostly found in America these days, particularly in the state of California and Massachusetts.
Lisbon is considered a good choice for juice because of its seedless flesh.
15. Meyer Lemons

Meyer lemon was firstly developed in China at the early twentieth century. It is a hybrid cultivar between lemon and mandarin. For that reason, this variety is often referred to as orange lemons. Some people also call it mylar lemons.
16. Ponderosa Lemons

The name “Ponderosa” is derived from a Latin word ponderosus that means pine tree. It is a hybrid cultivar of lemon and citron. As a result, this variety has bumpy skin like citron but tastes like lemon.
17. Primofiori Lemons

Primofiori is originated from Spain. Its name can be translated as “first flowers”, due to the fact that it becomes the first fruit which matures during harvesting season. This variety is known for having a smooth and thin peel.
18. Verna Lemons

Another lemon variety from Spain is Verna, which also goes by the name Spanish Lemon. In general, Verna lemon tree bears fruit twice a year. The fruit has thick skin and juicy flesh, but very sour.
19. Villafranca Lemons

Villafranca is a sub-variety of Eureka lemon. The skin appearance of this fruit resembles the main cultivar, but its acidic level is lower than Eureka.
Moreover, Villafranca is categorized as winter cropping because the tree only produces fruits during the cool seasons.
20. Yen Ben Lemons

Similar to Villafranca, Yen Ben is another variety of lemon that bears fruits in the winter. It was first cultivated in Queensland during the 1930s but brought to New Zealand in the 1970s.
Yen Ben is famous for its juice content that can be preserved for long-term storage.
With various types of lemons above, it is clear that this sour, yellow fruit has been largely grown worldwide for a long time.
This article can be a brief guide for you to learn about varieties of lemons that spread in different regions around the world.
I love the lemons and am left wondering how I can get the seedlings for Beddha hand lemon, Dorshapo, Eureka, Limetta and Primofiori considering I am in Nairobi, Kenya.
Dear Cathine,
here in the Netherlands we have euruka lemons i can send you some seeds if u want but i have a question do u have meyers in your country ? if yes can u send me some seeds my email is taysser.al.chikh450@gmail.com
Find the fruit and save the seeds. I am doing this for my charity in Homa Bay.
What is a typical lemon we get from the stores then?
More often than not, a Eureka or Lisbon.
Check this out.
Hi, My friend have big size (Each lemon is about 01 kg) lemon tree variety in his garden, it shape is not like ponderosa lemon veriety. kindly send me email to share pictures. Kindly send me this citrus fruit variety name.
Interesting article – I didn’t know so much about lemons! But I don’t think Lisbon lemons are grown in Massachusetts! lol
Purchased lemons from Costco that were large from South America. What are they?
What lemons are small, about 1 1/2″ in diameter, seedless and very lemony?