Lemon

Lemon was a citrus fruit-bearing tree often found in the southern lands. The fruit was oblong, fragrant, and sour.

"Lemon. Yellow as the summer sun; fresh as Neverwinter air; and sour as a high elf's scowl."

Availability
Places in the Realms where lemons were known to be cultivated included:
 * The land of Luiren, particularly in the tropical fruit plantations between Beluir and Chethel, cultivated great amounts of lemons and similar citrus fruits that were greatly in demand in northern lands.
 * In the Imnescar region of Amn, lemons grew in abundance.
 * In the Shao Mountains of Kara-Tur, lemons were cultivated around the Sumitra tower despite the harshness of its local climate. The sweet aroma of lemon and other fruits drifted throughout the tower's corridors.

Usage

 * Throughout the North, Sword Coast, and Western Heartlands it was common to find wax-sealed jars of pickled whole lemons inside of cupboards. These would be chopped and used in cooking, rather than being eaten whole.
 * Lemon fruit was used to make a sweet and refreshing non-alcoholic drink called lemonade, often served in taverns and inns of Tilverton circa 1357 DR.
 * Aurora's Emporium sold sweet pastries such as lemon tarts, baked in Waterdeep.
 * The Hin of Luiren used the peels of lemons to create salbread, which was especially favored by travelers and sailors.
 * In the lands of the Utter East it was common to add lemon juice to wash water, especially on marine vessels, to improve often lacking hygiene.
 * Hot toddy was a soothing alcoholic drink often made with lemon, especially popular among town criers of Daggerford.
 * Lemon juice was a common accompaniment in serving sea urchins raw. That custom was fairly common on the Southern Sword Coast.
 * Arrabaran morningfeast - scrambled eggs, was prepared with cheese and a lemon-wine sauce.
 * Mosstone's posh inn, the Stag Triumphant, served honey and lemon chicken stew in thick greenshoots broth for highsunfeast.
 * In the famed Yawning Portal of Waterdeep, pan-fried quipper was sometimes served with freshly sliced “shards” of lemon.
 * The recipe for Amnian Dragoon Soup called for the use of lemon.

Significance
Lemon blossoms were the favorite scent of Bishamon the Wide Hearing, a guardian spirit worshiped in Wa. Incense stands burning these were placed around his statue in the Great Temple of Bishamon in Kurahito.

Trivia

 * Yulchass powder, a drug made out of a type of Chultan berry had a strong lemon taste.
 * Saurials' unique language that included seemingly inaudible sounds and scents included the smell of lemon fruit that indicated pleasure and joy.