Ways to Store Lemons at Home 0 16

Storing Whole Lemons Without a Refrigerator

Ripe lemons can maintain their freshness at room temperature for about 10 days, after which they begin to lose quality. However, their storage life can be extended by coating the fruits with vegetable oil: in this case, they can remain fresh for up to 3 weeks.

Storing Whole Lemons in the Refrigerator

The optimal place to store fresh lemons is the refrigerator. The recommended temperature is between 4 and 8 degrees. If you simply place lemons in the fruit and vegetable drawer without packaging, they will stay fresh for about a month. Moving them to a colder area of the refrigerator, for example, closer to the wall, can extend this period. It is important to ensure that the lemons do not freeze.

The storage life of lemons in the refrigerator can be increased to 2-3 months. To do this, each fruit should be wrapped in parchment paper and placed in a container with a lid in a single layer. The paper helps keep the lemons juicy and prevents them from wilting for a long time.

Helpful tip: avoid storing lemons in closed plastic bags, as they may sweat and spoil quickly. Also, do not wash lemons before storage, as this shortens their shelf life.

Storing Lemons in the Freezer

Lemons are rarely frozen, as their beneficial properties are lost at low temperatures. If you decide to freeze lemons, peel them, and remove the thin membrane from the wedges (this helps avoid bitterness after thawing), then freeze them in disposable containers. Frozen lemons can be used in various dishes.

Tip: don't forget to zest the lemons. It can also be frozen and used for baking or hot drinks.

Interesting fact: if a lemon starts to spoil on the outside, don't rush to throw it away. Squeeze the juice and freeze it in ice cube trays. Frozen lemon juice can be used in cooking or for making drinks.

Storing Whole Lemons on the Balcony

Lemons, like many other fruits and vegetables, can be stored on the balcony until frost arrives. Arrange them in boxes or wooden crates, filling them with sand or sawdust. Make sure the filler remains dry, so the citrus fruits stay fresh for a long time.

Storing Cut Lemons

If you have cut a lemon into halves or large pieces, place them in a special container for storing fruits and vegetables and put them in the refrigerator. If you have leftover wedges, arrange them on a plate and cover with another plate. In this form, they can be stored for 3 to 7 days.

Storing with Sugar

Another method for long-term storage of lemons is using sugar. For this, you will need a sterilized jar. Cut the lemon into wedges and layer them, sprinkling sugar between each layer. This method allows lemons to be stored for up to two months. Prepared lemons are convenient for quickly making tea and lemonades.

You can also grind the lemons in a meat grinder and mix them with sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Transfer the resulting mixture to sterilized jars, close with a lid, and leave at room temperature for a couple of days to allow the sugar to dissolve, then put it in the refrigerator. Lemons mixed with sugar are especially good in winter. They can be consumed like jam with tea, added to drinks, or used in baking.

Storing with Salt

You have probably heard of salted lemons? They are a delicious addition, popular in Moroccan cuisine and beyond, as well as a great way to preserve citrus fruits. There are various recipes: some cooks salt lemons by covering them with lemon juice and water, while others make spicy snacks using oil.

Drying Lemons

Lemons can also be dried. For this, slice them into rounds or wedges. Citrus fruits can be dried in the oven at 55 degrees for about 22-24 hours, but it is more efficient and quicker to use a dehydrator for fruits and vegetables. Dried lemons should be stored in a tightly sealed jar or bag.

Lemons are among those fruits that store well under the right conditions. By following our recommendations, you can preserve the freshness and beneficial properties of this citrus for a long time!