Citrus Growers Forum

adriano · Posted: Mon 08 Jul, 2013 11:41 am

all of you probably know that sailors used lemon and lime juice as prevention again scrurvy, but i did not know that english military even kept the fact of having lemons on board as a military secret.

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i am in love with lemon

jcaldeira · Posted: Mon 08 Jul, 2013 1:32 pm

adriano wrote:

all of you probably know that sailors used lemon and lime juice as prevention again scrurvy, but i did not know that english military even kept the fact of having lemons on board as a military secret.

Roughly what year was that? I'd like to read more about it.

In the late 1700's captain James Cook forced his men to eat sauerkraut to avoid scurvy. Later, the British sailors where called 'limey' for their practice of adding lemon or lime juice to their rations to prevent scurvy.

adriano · Posted: Mon 08 Jul, 2013 2:53 pm

19th century. it was in some local newspapers. The article also mentioned, British sailors being called 'limey'. They were sailing to Caribbeans back then and there was easier to find limes than lemons. So they used limes against scurvy on their way to Caribbeans, although lime was not as good as lemon in preventing scurvy.

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i am in love with lemon

mrtexas · Posted: Mon 08 Jul, 2013 8:24 pm

adriano wrote:

all of you probably know that sailors used lemon and lime juice as prevention again scrurvy, but i did not know that english military even kept the fact of having lemons on board as a military secret.

I'll bet they were eating something like moroccan preserved lemons. I have some in my refrigerator now but it does not need refrigeration. I added lemons to a jar, filled with lemon juice and then added a couple tablespoons full of salt to each jar. I puree the preserves and tastes great on savory dishes and in salad dressing! Someone gave me 15 gallons of meyer lemons this spring.

pagnr · Posted: Tue 09 Jul, 2013 11:43 am

I remember reading that limes can be preserved in their own juice, stored in a wooden barrel. First step was to put limes thru a press or roller to "crack" them, to let the juice move freely in and around the limes. Thereafter they could be stored for long ship voyages.