National Lemon Juice Day
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade! And when life hands you a chance to celebrate National Lemon Juice Day on August 29, do it! This puckery fruit may be hard to taste all on its own, but it’s a versatile addition to many of your favorite drinks, dishes, and even wellness concoctions.
Lemons are the main ingredient in one of America’s favorite summertime beverages and a necessary accessory to any seafood feast. But don’t just drink the juice: use the oil from the lemon rind to make a nontoxic insect repellant or spray the juice on your hair to give it a lighter, beachier color! The options for lemons are endless!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL LEMON JUICE DAY
You know what they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! You can make all the lemonade you want, and more, on National Lemon Juice Day. Intense and zesty on its own, lemon juice is versatile as an ingredient in countless dishes and drinks. Soft drinks, liqueur, cocktails, and sodas can all use a splash of lemon juice. Also used in marinades and meal prep, lemon juice creates a distinct flavor, and is also handy as a quick preservative.
Lemons have been around forever but were first introduced to the New World in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. Since then, lemons have become a staple in households, for medicinal uses, and were also seen at one point as a sign of wealth.
There is more to a lemon than just the flavor and its acidic properties. Lemon juice is used in herbal remedies, it is a quick fix for many ailments and is even used for preparing at-home beauty treatments. Many Ayurvedic recipes use lemon juice to adjust the pH balance or as a stabilizer for other ingredients.
Lemon juice is also very popular for the detoxification of the body. Lemon juice mixed with water offers a complete cleanse for the digestive system, and many celebrities swear by it, too!
NATIONAL LEMON JUICE DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Use it to make something great
Try out a Lemon Drop drink by mixing together lemon juice, vodka, and simple syrup for a refreshing beverage that’s not too sweet and not too sour. For dinner, make a one-pan dish of lemon rosemary garlic chicken and potatoes. With just a little olive oil, lemon juice, capers, and a few other spices for good measure, this chicken and potatoes dish is sure to please. For dessert, lemon pie bars, a sweet dish with a graham cracker crust, and a tart lemon topping.
2.Put up a lemonade stand
Both kids and kids at heart can appreciate the fun of a lemonade stand. Don’t worry about going all out on the stand itself — pay attention to the product! Make the lemonade from scratch or use good ol’ Country Time for your patrons. Make sure you have enough cups and juice to go around. Add a little oomph to the stand including some tasty (lemon!) treats to go along with the juice.
3.Splurge on a trip to the French Riviera’s Lemon Festival
Held every year in February and March to celebrate the end of winter, the French Riviera’s famous Bioves Garden is filled with statues made of citrus fruits. Complete with floats and large installations, the festival runs for three weeks and uses more than 145 tons of fruit.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL LEMON JUICE DAY?
A. Lemon juice is good for you
Lemon juice is really a cure for whatever ails you. Drinking a little every day can help prevent kidney stones. Having some first thing in the morning promotes digestion and a speedy metabolism. If you feel a cold coming on, put a little lemon juice and honey in some warm water to soothe your throat. It can even help bring down a high temperature.
B. It’s not just to drink
The uses for lemon juice are almost endless. Run out of deodorant? Use a little lemon juice to keep away those odors. Remove smudges and stains on glass with lemon juice in a spray bottle or sponge. Add some lemon juice to your laundry to make the whites even whiter. It will even preserve fruits and vegetables — just squirt a little lemon juice on them to keep them from browning.
C. Because Beyoncé said so
Beyoncé’s 2016 album, “Lemonade,” was a widespread hit for both critics and fans. First released for streaming online, the album sold more than 650,000 copies in its first week. The title, “Lemonade,” pays tribute to Beyonce’s grandmother, who made lemonade out of lemons.
References:
“National Lemon Juice Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-lemon-juice-day/