Meyer Lemon Introduction to the U.S.: 1908

The Meyer lemon (a hybrid of lemon and mandarin/orange) was introduced to the United States in 1908 by Frank Nicholas Meyer, a USDA plant explorer.

Meyer collected it near Beijing, China, where it was grown as an ornamental. It gained culinary fame decades later through chefs like Alice Waters (Chez Panisse) and Martha Stewart, prized for its thinner skin, floral aroma, and sweeter, less acidic juice.

Note: The original clone carried a tristeza virus; today's commercial trees are the virus-free "Improved Meyer Lemon" (released 1975).