What is a beldi lemon?
“Beldi” means “local” or “traditional” in Moroccan Arabic. The beldi lemon is a local lemon variety, small and round, with a very thin, fragrant skin. It is the skin, more than the flesh, that cooks are after: once preserved, it becomes tender and concentrates all the aromas.
Beldi lemon vs preserved lemon
Beldi refers to the variety; preserved refers to the preparation. In Morocco, beldi lemons are traditionally preserved whole or quartered in salt and their own juice for several weeks, until tender and no longer bitter. We supply both: beldi lemons and Aïcha preserved lemons.
How to use preserved lemons
- Rinse the lemon to remove excess salt.
- Remove the flesh if you only want the fragrance of the peel.
- Cut the peel into strips or small cubes.
- Add at the end of cooking: chicken tagine with olives, lamb tagine, baked fish, salads, couscous, marinades and dressings.
Updated 11 October 2026 by the COPRAM team
