The lemon is a small evergreen tree (Citrus limon) originally native to Asia and is also the name of the tree's oval yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind (zest) are also used, mainly in cooking and baking. Lemon is about 5% (approximately 0.3 mole per litre) citric acid, which gives lemons a sour taste, and a pH of 2 to 3. This makes lemon juice an inexpensive, readily available acid for use in educational science experiments. Because of the sour flavor, many lemon-flavored drinks and candies are available, including lemonade and sour heads. Lemons are used to make lemonade, and as a garnish for drinks. Lemon zest has many uses. Many mixed, soft drinks, iced tea, and water is often served with a wedge or slice of lemon in the glass or on the rim. The average lemon contains approximately 3 tablespoons of juice. Fish are marinated in lemon juice to neutralize the odor. Lemon juice, alone or in combination with other ingredients, is used to marinate meat before cooking. Lemons, alone or with oranges, are used to make marmalade. The grated rind of the lemon, called lemon zest, is used to add flavor to baked goods, puddings, rice and other dishes. Pickled lemons are a Moroccan delicacy. Numerous lemon liqueurs are made from lemon rind. Apart from the juice, the essential oil extracted by steam distillation is an important product from the fruit. Lemon oil is highly beneficial for medicinal purposes. The main chemical components of lemon oil are a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-terpinene, linalool, b-bisabolene, limonene, trans-a- bergamotene, nerol and neral. India tops the production list with ~16% of the world's overall lemon and lime output followed by Mexico (~14.5%), Argentina (~10%), Brazil (~8%) and Spain (~7%). The Indian market for processed foods is growing at over 12 per cent a year, propelling demand for flavours in savoury foods and beverages as the large food makers make inroads into the region. Globally, the flavours and fragrances industry is estimated at about €14.8 billion, of which the top five players account for 40 per cent of the market. These top five companies have a substantial presence in the €187 million Indian flavours and fragrance market - flavours make up 45 per cent of the market, and fragrances 55 per cent. Fragrances will continue to play an important role in product differentiation, aiding demand growth. Environmental fragrance goods will also experience healthy gains through 2012, driven by advances in aromatherapy and household applications, as well as consumer desires for more sophisticated and blended fragrances. Food will remain the largest market for flavors and fragrances, based on the widespread application of flavor materials in processed food, dairy and bakery products, candy and confectioneries, and other items such as breakfast cereals and bars, meat and seafood products, snack food and meal supplements/replacements. The further expansion of fortified food -- as well as beverages -- will provide opportunities, since flavors are often used to cover up the off-tastes of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other additives. There is a good scope for new entrants and entrepreneurs should venture into this field.
