Why does nature like the taste of lemons so much? There is lemon-scented thyme, lemongrass and, of course, lemons. I can’t think of any other commonly occurring flavour. Is it the same flavour, or do we just have a very broad definition of “lemon-flavoured”?
• Your correspondent is probably right that we have a broad definition of “lemon-flavoured”; for instance, the characteristic sourness of lemons is caused by citric acid, but the other plants mentioned don’t contain this substance. It is more the smell or “essence” of lemon that nature loves. I can add quite a few plants to the…
