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Amalfi Lemons in Canada

Amalfi lemons are large, fragrant lemons from Italy's Amalfi Coast. Canadian stock is seasonal and limited.

Updated . Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Italian specialty grocers and premium produce shops are the likeliest sources. Ask the produce manager to special order a case. Online listings often sell Amalfi lemon products, not fresh fruit.

Professional insight

Produce importers check the IGP mark and harvest window. Lookalike lemons often get sold as Amalfi.

  • True Sfusato Amalfitano tapers to a point at both ends.
  • Sorrento lemons are rounder and also carry IGP status.
  • Leaves still attached suggest recent, careful picking.
  • Heavy fruit for its size means more juice.

Check the label

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Amalfi lemon facts

Variety
Sfusato Amalfitano
Sfusato refers to its spindle shape.
Protection
EU IGP (PGI)
Grown in set Amalfi Coast towns.
Best harvest
March to July
Picked several times a year.

The fruit is large with thick, aromatic peel. The flesh is juicy and less acidic than common lemons. Trees grow on steep coastal terraces.

Before you buy

  • Fresh stock in Canada is most likely in spring and summer.
  • Meyer lemons are a different, sweeter fruit.
  • Buying from abroad? Fresh citrus may face import rules.
  • Buy from a Canadian seller to avoid border delays.

Storage

  • Keep at room temperature for a few days.
  • Refrigerate in a bag to keep them longer.
  • Zest before juicing if you want both.
  • Freeze zest and juice in small portions.

Common uses

  • Limoncello made from the peel.
  • Risotto al limone.
  • Thin slices in salads, eaten with the pith.
  • Lemon cakes, creams and cannoli fillings.

Common questions

Can I grow Amalfi lemons in Canada?
Only indoors or in a greenhouse. The trees cannot survive Canadian winters outside.
Why are they so expensive?
They are hand picked on steep terraces and air shipped from Italy.
What can I use instead?
Large unwaxed lemons with thick peel work for zest. The flavor will differ.