Preciously pink lemons are REAL!
These unique citrus beauties are pink fleshed on the inside with a variegated green and yellow striped outside.
Here’s the ultimate guide on all thing’s PINK LEMONS!
What are Pink Lemons?
The term pink lemons refers to the variety of lemon that’s pink on the inside.
This variety of is also called variegated pink lemon, variegated eureka lemon, and pink-fleshed Eureka lemon.
They’re characterized by their unique pink fleshed inside with a variegated green and yellow striped rind outside.
Their rose-hued flesh resembles a pink grapefruit.
Where do Pink Lemons Come from?
Pink lemons were first discovered on an ordinary Eureka lemons tree in Burbank, California, in 1931. They were the result of a spontaneous mutation and are now grown commercially in Southern California.
Why Makes Them Pink Anyways?
The lemons flesh gets its pink color from a high concentration of lycopene, a natural antioxidant compound. Lycopene gives many fruits and veggies their red/ruby/pink pigment; it’s the same compound that makes tomatoes red and grapefruits pink.
*Note: while the flesh of the lemon is pink, the juice runs clear.
What do Pink Lemons Taste Like & How are they Different from their Yellow Lemon Counterparts?
Pink lemons are less acidic and taste less tart, sweeter and more floral than their regular lemon counterparts. This makes pink lemons idea for desserts.
As pink lemons ripen, they continue becoming less acidic and sweeter. The stripes on the outside fade and the color of their pink flesh intensifies and deepens.
Pink lemons are highly fragrant and have very few seeds if any.
The flavor differences are subtle; pink and yellow lemon varieties can be interchanged in any recipe.
Cooking with Pink Lemons
Their less tart and sweeter flavors makes them ideal for desserts such as lemons bars, lemon meringue pie, lemon sorbet and other lemon-y sweets!
Their fab pink flesh makes them fun additions to cocktails and other drinks (boozy or not) where they can really stand out and shine.
Especially since this pretty pink color is lost when they’re juiced.
Remember, this pretty pink color is lost when they’re juiced… meaning ya won’t get pink lemonade (which was created about 100 years before pink lemons were even discovered) outta pink lemons.
Cook with pink lemons in all the very same ways that you would with their regular yellow lemon cousins.
Buying & Storing Pink Lemons
Pink lemon trees thrive in warm climates and are most commonly grown in Southern California.
They can be found in farmers markets all over SoCal, specialty produce store and ordered online.
Trader Joes recently started carrying pink lemons too!
All the pink lemon images on this page are from JJ’s Lone Daughter Ranch and were picked up via their stand at the Santa Monica Farmers Market.
Looks for firm fragrant pink lemons free of blemishes. They’ll last up to one month in the refrigerator (freezing is not recommended).
Hope this post inspired ya to get your pink lemon game on!
This unique variety of citrus is stunning beautiful both inside and out! From their funky green and yellow variegated striped outside to their preciously pink flesh, they’ll surely delight your senses it all sorts of visual and gustatory ways!
Stoked on pink lemons? I’d love to hear about it and see your white-a-licious eggplant creations too! Please leave a comment below and take a pic and tag it on Instagram with #chefdanielagerson.
Stoked on pink produce? Me too! Check out the Ultimate Guide on Pink Apples!
You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more colorfully delicious (and especially purple-licious!) food and all sorts of awesome adventures!
Your pretty pink lemon images are so super stunning! Have never seen these before and will definitely be looking for them now :)! 💗💗💗
You are too cute Jacquie! I'll bring ya some pretty pink lemons sometime :). Thanks so much for the super sweet feedback!