Meyer lemons are named for Frank N. Meyer, the agricultural explorer who identified the plant and brought it back to America in the early 20th century. He found these special lemons in their origin country of China, where the plants were being used as decorative houseplants. The true potential of the fruit wasn't discovered until chefs like Alice Waters started using them at her restaurant Chez Panisse. Meyer lemons hit the mainstream when Martha Stewart featured them as an ingredient in several recipes in the early 2000s.
Meyer lemons are believed to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. The fruit is about the size of a lemon, sometimes slightly smaller, with a smooth, deep yellow peel. When mature, the thin peel can be almost orange. The flesh and juice are sweeter than a regular lemon and can be used raw or cooked. Because the peel is thin and lacking in a thick, bitter pith, the whole lemon (minus the seeds) can be used. Because Meyer lemons are considered a specialty item, they can be up to twice the price of regular lemons.