Lemons were a status symbol in ancient Rome

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Lemons were a status symbol in ancient Rome: Study finds they were the first fruits to arrive in the Mediterranean around the time of Jesus

While citrus orchards are common in Mediterranean regions today, researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) found that citrus fruits are not native to the Mediterranean - they came from Southeast Asia.

The first remains of lemons were found in Rome at the time of Jesus Christ
Study analyzed ancient texts, art, artifacts and archaeo-botanical remains
The citron, a large fragrant fruit with a thick rind, was considered valuable
Citrons had healing qualities and symbolic use, and arrived in Rome from Israel


Until the first century AD, the only citrus produce available to the ancient Romans were the extremely rare and expensive citrons and lemons.

WHERE DID CITRUS FRUITS COME FROM?
While citrus orchards are common in Mediterranean regions today, citrus fruits are not native to the Mediterranean - instead, they came from Southeast Asia.
According to a study published in the journal HortScience, the first remains of the earliest lemons was found in the Roman Forum at around the time of Jesus Christ.
At first, Romans only had access to rough-skinned citrons, also called etrogim, which consists of mostly rind and dry, tasteless flesh.


At first, Romans only had access to rough-skinned citrons, also called etrogim, which consists of mostly rind and dry, tasteless flesh. The citron arrived in Rome from what is now Israel

The citron arrived in Rome from what is now Israel, and the earliest botanical remains of the citron were identified in a Persian royal garden near Jerusalem and dated to the 5th-4th centuries BC.
'It appears that the citron was considered a valuable commodity due to its healing qualities, symbolic use, pleasant odor and rarity,' said Dr Dafna Langgut, the lead author of the study.

'Only the rich could have afforded it.

'Its spread therefore was helped more by its high social status, its significance in religion and its unique features, rather than its culinary qualities.'
After the arrival of citrons and lemons, sour oranges, limes and pomelos were introduced to the West by Muslim traders via Sicily and the Iberian Peninsula much later, in the 10th century AD.
'Muslims controlled extensive territory and commerce routes from India to the Mediterranean,' said Dr Langgut.


'It appears that the citron was considered a valuable commodity due to its healing qualities, symbolic use, pleasant odor and rarity,' said Dr Dr Dafna Langgut, the lead author of the study. 'Only the rich could have afforded it'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...#ixzz4q9etzdt4