Oval in shape, with a pronouced bulge on one end, lemons are one of the most versatile fruits around,

Look for unblemished, firm lemons that feel heavy for their size and have no tinges of green (which indicates that they're underripe). Avoid very pale lemons, as they are older, and will contain less juice.

The best lemons for juicing or using for wedges are those with a smooth, thin skin. The best for zesting are those with a thicker, knobbly skin, which tend to be on the large size.