5 Signs a Lemon Has Gone Bad + Best Storage Tips

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Plus, what to do with a lemon that’s gone bad
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Like all fruits, lemons can rot and go bad with time. If you’ve had some store-bought or home-grown lemons for a while and aren’t sure if they’re still good to use, we’re here to help. We’ll go over the obvious signs that a lemon is bad and explain how to store lemons and lemon juice to keep this fruit fresh for a long time. Read on to learn more!

How do you know if a lemon is bad?

When lemons start to go bad and rot, they usually develop brown, mushy spots. They might get very hard and shriveled-looking, or grow super soft and slimy. The flesh inside is typically dry and rubbery. Bad lemons can also grow mold and start to smell bitter or sour.

Section 1 of 8:

Signs a Lemon is Bad

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    When a lemon starts to rot, it usually develops discolored patches, dents, and blemishes on the rind. The spots feel squishy or spongy when you press them and are usually dark yellow, brown, or even black. [1]
    • If you notice signs that your lemon is bad, it’s best to compost it or throw it away. We explain why in our FAQ section below.
  2. Spots of green, white, or black fuzzy mold on the outside of the lemon are sure signs it’s gone bad. If you cut the lemon, you might notice mold growing on the inside, too. [2]
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  3. As a lemon starts to dry out and go bad, it often hardens like a rock and the rind gets wrinkled and bumpy. The lemon can also start to feel mushy as it rots and develop a slimy film. Either way, it no longer feels plump and slightly firm when you press it. [3]
    • Whether they’re very hard or soft, bad lemons usually feel lighter than fresh, ripe ones.
  4. The inside of a bad lemon is usually dry and shriveled-looking. As the lemon rots, the flesh peels away from the rind and looks pale or discolored. The flesh is no longer juicy and firm, and instead feels rubbery or gummy.
    • You might also notice brown spots on the flesh, too. This is another sign the lemon is bad.
  5. When a lemon starts to go bad, it develops an unpleasant odor that can smell sour, rancid, or ammonia-like. It will no longer have the fresh, crisp, and citrusy scent of a fresh lemon. [4]
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Section 2 of 8:

Can juice inside a lemon go bad?

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    If a lemon looks, feels, or smells rotten, the juice inside is bad, too. When a lemon starts to spoil, every part rots—including the juice, flesh, zest, and rind. So, throw out the lemon instead of trying to squeeze out the juice.
Section 3 of 8:

What to Do with Overripe Lemons

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    If your lemons are overripe but not actively rotting or molding, they’re perfectly fine to use around your home instead of eating. Lemon juice is acidic, which gives it anti-bacterial properties, so it’s a great, natural way to clean around the house. [5] For instance, use your overripe lemons to: [6]
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Section 4 of 8:

Signs a Lemon is Ripe

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    Whether you’re buying lemons from the store or harvesting them from your lemon tree, choose a fruit that is firm and has a slight give when you squeeze it. Make sure it feels heavy, too, which means it’s full of juice. Ensure there are no discolored spots or signs of damage, either. A ripe lemon is a bright, solid yellow and has shiny, smooth skin. [7]
    • Select a lemon that has a thinner rind, too. This usually means that it’s super juicy.
    • The lemon should feel firm and plump, not rock hard or soft and mushy. These are signs that the lemon is overripe and going bad.
    • Solid green or green-tinged lemons mean the fruit is unripe. Lemons don’t ripen once they’re picked from the tree, so avoid buying or harvesting them if they’re not solid yellow.
Section 5 of 8:

How to Store Whole Lemons

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  1. The best way to preserve lemons is to stick them in the fridge. Simply place the fruits in an airtight plastic bag or storage container and set them in your fridge’s crisper or produce drawer. They usually keep well for 1 month, but can last up to 6 weeks. [8]
    • Feel free to keep the lemons loose in the produce drawer, if you prefer. Placing them in an airtight bag helps to seal in moisture so they don’t dry out as quickly, but it typically only keeps them fresher for a few more days. [9]
    • Keep the lemons away from fruits that ripen, like pears, peaches, and avocados, if possible. [10] These fruits produce ethylene gas as they ripen, which can cause your lemons to spoil faster.
    • Thinking about storing your lemons in water? While this viral hack claims to keep lemons fresh for longer, there’s actually not much evidence that it does. In fact, it can potentially cause bacteria and mold to grow faster. [11]
  2. It’s perfectly fine to keep lemons at room temperature, if you prefer. Simply leave them on your counter or in a fruit bowl and keep them in a cool, dry spot. Just know that room-temperature lemons usually only last for 1 to 2 weeks before they start to dry out and spoil. [12]
    • Keep the lemons uncovered—don’t place them in a plastic bag or container. This can trap humidity and cause them to spoil faster.
    • Like in the fridge, keep lemons away from fruits that produce ethylene gas, like bananas and avocados, so they don’t spoil quickly.
  3. Freezing lemons is a great way to extend their lifespan if you don’t think you’ll use them in time. Simply wash the lemons with cool water and dry them off with a clean towel. Then, place them in a freezer-safe storage bag or container . Write the date on the container and stick the lemons in your freezer. [13]
    • Note : Lemons can develop a mushy texture when frozen. While the juice and zest stay fresh, you might not want to use them as a garnish.
    • When you’re ready to use your lemons, thaw them in a bowl of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Or, stick them in the microwave in 15-second increments. [14]
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Section 6 of 8:

How to Store Cut Lemons

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    Wrap the lemon half or slices in plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight bag or container. Then, place them in your refrigerator’s crisper or produce drawer. Just use them within 5 to 7 days—cut lemons tend to dry out and spoil after 1 week. [15]
    • If possible, keep the lemons away from other fruits, like pears and avocados, so they don’t go bad more quickly.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    If you have a cut lemon that you don’t plan on using within 1 week, cut the remaining lemon into thin slices. Place the slices on a lined baking sheet and set it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Once they’re frozen, place the lemon slices in a freezer bag or container. [16]
    • Write the date on the bag or container so you know when you froze the lemons.
    • Frozen lemon slices typically hold up better than frozen whole lemons. So, they’re great to use in dishes or as garnishes.
    • To thaw the frozen slices, place them in the fridge for a few hours or zap them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.
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Section 7 of 8:

How to Store Lemon Juice

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    If you have leftover juice after juicing a lemon , pour the liquid into an airtight container. For instance, place the juice in a glass mason jar or food storage container. Then, set the juice in your fridge—it keeps its flavor for about 4 days. [17]
    • Lemon juice typically starts to lose its flavor after 1 day. So, aim to use it as soon as possible. [18]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Lemon Is Bad
    Freezing lemon juice is a great alternative to freezing whole or sliced lemons. Simply squeeze your lemons and pour the juice into a clean ice cube tray. Set the tray in your freezer and leave the lemon juice to freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Then, pop out the juice cubes and place them in a freezer bag or container. [19]
    • Date the bag of frozen lemon juice so you know when the cubes are no longer fresh.
    • When you need a bit of lemon juice for a recipe, simply take a cube out of the freezer and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to thaw. Or, add it directly to a dish if you’re cooking with heat.
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Section 8 of 8:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. It’s not recommended to use or juice a lemon that’s moldy or bad. At best, it’s going to taste unpleasant (so you wouldn’t want to eat it anyway) and at worst, it can potentially make you sick. So, it’s best to compost or throw away lemons that have gone bad. [20]
  2. Eating a bad or moldy lemon can potentially make you sick, as some types of mold are poisonous. Some people are allergic to mold, so it can cause an allergic reaction, too. To be on the safe side, don’t use or juice bad lemons. [21]
  3. No, you can’t cut off mold from a lemon. Because lemons (and other fruits) are soft, the mold travels easily through the fruit and is likely all over it, even if you can’t see it. So, if you see any mold on a lemon, it’s best to compost or toss it. [22]
    • You can cut off mold from firm produce, like carrots, and hard foods like cheese and ham, because mold can’t travel as easily through them.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/926921/how-to-tell-if-a-lemon-has-gone-bad/
      2. ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/926921/how-to-tell-if-a-lemon-has-gone-bad/
      3. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/lemons
      4. ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/926921/how-to-tell-if-a-lemon-has-gone-bad/
      5. ↑ https://hamilton.cce.cornell.edu/resources/cleaning-products-you-can-make-at-home
      6. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/what-to-clean-and-what-not-to-clean-with-lemon-a1493706190/
      7. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/lemons
      8. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/lemons
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/yVqf4RxQq1E?feature=shared&t=23
      1. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/article/fruits-continue-ripen-after-picking/
      2. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/the-best-way-to-store-whole-lemons-8634934
      3. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/lemons
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/6kZCr9i2d7w?feature=shared&t=17
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/6kZCr9i2d7w?feature=shared&t=54
      6. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-store-lemons
      7. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-store-lemons
      8. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-store-lemons
      9. ↑ https://ucanr.edu/sites/mfp_of_cs/files/333872.pdf
      10. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/lemons
      11. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/are-molds-foods-dangerous
      12. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/are-molds-foods-dangerous
      13. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/are-molds-foods-dangerous

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