"It’s pretty impossible to spend time around a Meyer lemon and not feel a little bit of joy," writes correspondent Sylvia Fountaine, who shares some of her favorite uses for the citrus fruit in next week's Spokesman-Review Food section.

 

From seasoned salt to roast chicken and a flavored gimlet, there are plenty of ways to highlight the sunny scent and flavor of this special lemon.

 

Here's a sneak peek at the story and stunning photographs.

 

"There is nothing like the scent of Meyer lemons to lift us out of our winter doldrums.

 

"In season from November through March, they bring a much needed cheeriness to the kitchen. To me, they are pure aroma therapy, never failing to boost my sprits every time I slice one open. It’s one of my all-time favorite scents, one that stops me in my tracks, filling me with intense gratitude over the simple fact that I am able to smell. 

 

"A cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, they are similar to lemons yet deliciously different. Blessed with an intoxicating aroma that transports you to warm, tropical and sunny places, their smooth, thin and deeply golden skin is the shade of a fresh egg yolk. Their plump tender flesh tends to be juicier than regular lemons. And their flavor sets them apart as well: slightly sweet, less acidic with notes of honey, orange and blossoms."

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