Lemon, Lime & Citron Varieties in China
1. Lemon Varieties
Meyer Lemon (Citrus × meyeri)
A hybrid originating in China, combining traits of lemon and mandarin/pomelo. Meyer lemons are sweet, less acidic, with deep yellow-orange skin and fragrant blooms. In China, they are commonly cultivated in gardens and small-scale orchards (Bon Appétit, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024)¹.
- Bon Appétit. (2024, February 23). What Makes Meyer Lemons So Special?
- Wikipedia. (2024). Meyer lemon.
Perfume Lemon (Xiangshui/Fragrance Lemon)
Known for its aromatic peel, low acidity, large seedless fruits, and intense fragrance when ripe—cultivated extensively in Guangdong, Fujian, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces (HealthyPig, 2023; freshplaza.com, 2025; GDXSNM, 2023)².
- HealthyPig. (2023, May). Perfume Lemon: Everything You Need to Know.
- Produce Report. (2021). Xiangshui Lemon Prices Double in Guangdong, Demand Exceeds Supply.
- GDXSNM. (2023). How to choose the right perfume lemon—Cantonese and Taiwanese types.
Yulik Lemon & Beijing Lemon
Commonly listed varieties in regional agricultural data, notably referenced alongside Xiangshui in surveys of Chinese lemon production (MySheen, 2023)³.
- MySheen. (2023, March). What are the common varieties of lemons in China?
Taiwan Lemon
Also frequently cited in the same agricultural reports as a mainstream commercial variety in southern China (MySheen, 2023)³.
Xuewang Lemon
A newer commercial cultivar, yielding approximately 50,000 tons annually and gaining export presence (FreshPlaza, 2024)⁴.
2. Lime Varieties
Taiwan Lime
Mentioned in Chinese horticultural sources alongside Taiwan Lemon, indicating its presence in the same production regions (MySheen, 2023)³.
Kaffir (Makrut) Lime (Citrus hystrix)
Native to southern China and Southeast Asia, valued for its intensely fragrant leaves and peel, widely used in regional culinary traditions (Wikipedia, 2024).
- Wikipedia. (2024). Kaffir lime.
3. Citron Varieties
Common Citron (Citrus medica)
Cultivated predominantly in Yunnan and Sichuan as a traditional and valued citrus species—used medicinally, culinarily, and ornamentally (Wikipedia, 2024).
Buddha’s Hand (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis)
Also known as Fo Shou, this fingered citron is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and horticulture, prized for its fragrance, ornamental form, and ritual symbolism. Several cultivated types exist, including ‘Ning’er Giant’ and ‘Octopus.’ Origin likely India and China (EpicureanEarth, n.d.; DailyHomeHints, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024)⁵.
- EpicureanEarth. (n.d.). Buddha’s Hand: The Unique Citrus with Many Uses.
- DailyHomeHints. (2024). The Fascinating World of Buddha’s Hand Citron.
- Wikipedia. (2024). Buddha’s hand.
Summary Table
| Category | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Lemons | Meyer Lemon, Perfume (Xiangshui) Lemon, Taiwan Lemon, Yulik Lemon, Beijing Lemon, Xuewang Lemon |
| Limes | Taiwan Lime, Kaffir (Makrut) Lime |
| Citrons | Common Citron, Buddha’s Hand Citron (multiple cultivated forms) |
Cultivation & Cultural Notes
- Lemon Production Hub
Guangdong, Fujian, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Chongqing are the main citrus regions—with China now being the world’s second-largest lemon producer (~53,000 hectares, ~5.74% of global lemon farmland) (Produce Report, 2021). - Perfume Lemon Trend
Used popularly in tea shops, cold brews, and flavored drinks—especially among younger consumers in Asia (FruitSupplierSingapore, 2023; Eater Los Angeles, 2025)⁶. - Buddha’s Hand Significance
Cultivated for both ornamental and ritual uses. Symbolic varieties (open-hand and closed-hand) reflect cultural values in China and Japan (Wikipedia, 2024; OrganicMagazine, 2022).
References
Bon Appétit. (2024, February 23). What Makes Meyer Lemons So Special?
DailyHomeHints. (2024). The Fascinating World of Buddha’s Hand Citron: Origins, Uses, and Growing Practices.
Eater Los Angeles. (2025, February 11). Lulala Lemon Tea, the first specialty perfume lemon tea…
EpicureanEarth. (n.d.). Buddha’s Hand: The Unique Citrus with Many Uses.
FruitSupplierSingapore. (2023). Perfume Lemon: The Fragrant New Star of Commerce.
FreshPlaza. (2021). Xiangshui Lemon Prices Double in Guangdong…
GDXSNM. (2023). How to choose the right perfume lemon—Cantonese and Taiwanese types.
HealthyPig. (2023, May). Perfume Lemon: Everything You Need to Know.
MySheen. (2023, March). What are the common varieties of lemons in China?
OrganicMagazine. (2022). Have you ever heard of a fruit called Buddha’s Hand?
Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Buddha’s hand.
Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Kaffir lime.
Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Meyer lemon.
