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Despite their acidity, lemons go bad like any other fruit. Shriveling, soft or hard spots, and a dull color are all signs that a lemon has started to lose flavor and juice. Prevent this happening by learning how to store lemons at the right temperature.
Steps
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Store lemons for immediate use. If you plan to use the lemons within a few days of purchase, store them away from direct sunlight. They typically stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. After this point, they start to wrinkle, lose their vibrant color, and develop soft or hard patches.
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Store extra lemons sealed in the refrigerator. Place the lemons in zip-locked bags, squeezing out as much air as you can. In this state, the lemons may retain most of their juice and flavor for as long as four weeks. [1] X Research source- The ideal temperature for storing ripe (yellow) lemons is between 4º and 10ºC (39–50ºF). For most refrigerators, the middle shelves or door shelves are around this temperature.
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Cover the cut side of the lemon. Reduce water loss and oxidization by protecting the cut side from air. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Place lemon halves cut-side-down on a small plate.
- Wrap wedges or slices in plastic wrap.
- Place the cut lemons in the smallest airtight container you can find.
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Refrigerate. Although they last longer than most other cut fruit, lemons are still best within 2–3 days of cutting.
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Freeze slices to add to drinks. Freeze the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced out so they don't touch each other. Once frozen, toss them all in a sealed plastic bag and store in the freezer indefinitely.
- Freezing lemons (or any food items) on a baking sheet prevents them sticking to each other as ice forms.
- Like most fruit, lemons become mushy when frozen. The frozen slices are best added to cold drinks directly from the freezer, while they're still hard.
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Refrigerate lemon juice. Despite its acidity, lemon juice can harbor bacteria if kept at room temperature. After about 2–4 days in the refrigerator, the juice will start to lose its taste. Throw it out once it looks dull and dark or loses most of its taste, usually about 7–10 days. [2] X Research source
- Do not store lemon juice in transparent bottles, since light will break down the juice more quickly.
- Store-bought bottled lemon juice typically contains preservatives, which increase its shelf life to several months.
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Freeze leftover juice in ice cube trays. This is the easiest way to freeze excess juice. Once frozen, transfer to a sealed plastic bag in the freezer.
- Alternatively, can the lemon juice instead.
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Store zest in an airtight container. Once you've zested the lemon, move the zest to an airtight glass container. Store in a cool, dry location. Freshly grated zest loses flavor fast, and may become a bacterial risk after just 2–3 days. [3] X Research source
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Freeze leftover zest. If you have a great deal of zest, space small, tightly packed spoonfuls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow long can I store frozen lemons in the freezer?Community AnswerYou can store lemons in the freezer for about 3 to 4 months and in a refrigerator about 3 to 4 weeks.
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QuestionHow long can I store lemons for?Community AnswerA single lemon can stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week if it is cut and for a week and a half uncut. If it is not in the refrigerator, it can go bad quickly unless the room temperature is cold.
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QuestionDoes lemon juice provide health benefits?Community AnswerYes. It contains vitamins and nutrients as does all citrus.
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Tips
- When selecting lemons, look for thin-skinned fruits that give a little when squeezed. These have more juice than hard lemons. [4] X Research sourceThanks
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Thanks
- As lemons are sensitive to ethylene, care should be taken that lemons are not kept along with products which emit ethylene, specially apples.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Zip tight plastic bags
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
References
- ↑ http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/cooking-science/2013/02/we-prove-it-the-best-way-to-store-lemons/
- ↑ http://www.doesitgobad.com/does-lemon-juice-go-bad/
- ↑ http://www.eatbydate.com/what-is-lemon-zest/
- ↑ http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/cooking-science/2013/02/we-prove-it-the-best-way-to-store-lemons/
- ↑ http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnacy845.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To store lemons that have been cut, cover the exposed side of the fruit by placing them face-down on a plate or wrapping them in plastic wrap. Then, place the lemons in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and juicy. Cut lemons will last in the fridge for 2-3 days, but you can also freeze lemon slices by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the freezer. Once the lemons are completely frozen, you can put them in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer for several months.
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Reader Success Stories
- "I bought the lemons and left them outside of the fridge to see if they will keep for some days. I learned it is not the best thing to do. I also cut lemons and placed in the fridge, but learned the way to keep the cut lemon is turn the cut side down." ..." more
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"I bought the lemons and left them outside of the fridge to see if they will keep for some days. I learned it is not the best thing to do. I also cut lemons and placed in the fridge, but learned the way to keep the cut lemon is turn the cut side down."
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"Surprising how much you can learn about the humble lemon in one article! I thought it was just that the fruits had been 'forced on' or perhaps soaked in water to swell them that caused the rapid drying out but now know it was me all along!"
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"What stood out for me were the various methods you mentioned. I was so tired of throwing away spoiled lemons. I chose to store them uncut in plastic bags, and it worked like a charm. The pictures also helped as well. Thank you so much."
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"The lemon slice idea for drinks would look cute and it's creative since you can store the frozen slices for easy access and longer shelf life! A cute/creative way to keep your drinks cool without pesky ice."
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"I am trying to incorporate more lemons in my diet, due to their health benefits. So I needed to know how to store them and keep them fresh. Thanks a lot."
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