Lemon juice is something that every household should have, but it often gets overlooked when people are creating their shopping lists. This juice will not only add a splash of brightness to meals, but it’s also an excellent source of Vitamin C and can be used for many jobs around the house.

Lemon juice can remove stains from dishes, kill bacteria on cutting boards, remove odors from the garbage disposal or microwave, and can even be used to brighten whites in the wash. It’s so versatile that it has even been given its own holiday, observed annually on August 29th and known as National Lemon Juice Day.

The History of National Lemon Juice Day

Although no one really knows where the lemon came from, it’s believed that it was first thought to be grown in Assam—a region in northeast India—or in China. Regardless of where they originated, they were transported through Europe before the beginning of the second century. They were then later introduced to Egypt and Persia.

While lemons had been in Europe for over a thousand years, they wouldn’t be mass-cultivated in Genoa until the 15th century. This is also when lemons were introduced to the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Continued Spanish colonization in the Americas would continue to spread lemon seeds across the continent.

Unfortunately, the origins of National Lemon Juice Day aren’t ones that we can clearly identify. We’ve tried to search for this holiday’s origins, but there don’t seem to be any records as to when it was invented or who invented it. All that we know is that it was probably created by someone who was involved in the lemon juice industry or who really loves lemon juice.

Some Quick Lemon Facts

Okay, since we’re on the subject of lemon juice, let’s talk about some of the things that we’ve learned about lemons. We’ve listed our favorite lemon facts below.

• Lemon trees can live for over 150 years.
• One lemon tree can produce up to 3 boxes of lemons.
• The average lemon contains three tablespoons of juice.
• The average lemon also contains approximately eight seeds.

Observing National Lemon Juice Day

National Lemon Juice Day is a holiday that’s best observed by taking the time to find out how lemon juice can be used around the home. We’ve already stated some of the things that lemon juice can be used for, but that’s only a small selection of its actual uses. It can be used to relieve a sore throat, aid in digestion, and can be used in hundreds of different dishes.