All You Need to Know About Lemons
Lemons have so many uses from cooking and baking to cleaning and natural remedies and I have a slice of lemon every day in my mug of black tea.
What are the health benefits of lemons?
How many different ways can you use lemons?
You can the juice, the pulp and even the rind to make just about anything - not just food and drinks.
Lemons are great for cleaning, and you can use them to sterilize your microwave, deodorize your fridge, or even get berry stains off of your hands.
How should you store lemons to prolong their shelf life?
Apparently, many of us store lemons incorrectly causing them to spoil.
But the good news is that with the right storage method, you can keep lemons fresh for weeks or even months
Most people store lemons at room temperature in a fruit bowl or leave them in a plastic bag in the fridge. While this may seem convenient, both methods cause lemons to spoil faster because of:
- Loss of moisture – Lemons dry out quickly when exposed to air.
- Exposure to mold – High humidity can make lemons rot faster.
- Wrong temperature – Room temperature speeds up ripening and decay.
- Ethylene gas – Lemons stored near other fruits (like apples or bananas) ripen and rot faster due to gas release.
You can keep lemons in the refrigerator using these methods to maintain moisture and prevent mold:
- Use an airtight container or a resealable bag – This prevents lemons from drying out.
- Store whole lemons in the crisper drawer – They stay fresh for 3–4 weeks this way.
- Don’t store them near apples or bananas – These fruits release ethylene gas, which makes lemons spoil faster.
Bonus Tip: You can submerge whole lemons in water in an airtight container and refrigerate them. This keeps them hydrated and mold-free for up to 2 months!
How to store cut lemons properly
If you’ve cut a lemon but didn’t use it all, don’t just leave it in the fridge uncovered—it will dry out fast!
Instead:
- Wrap cut lemons tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
- Store them cut-side down on a small plate with a few drops of water to retain moisture.
- Use within 3–4 days for the best flavor.
You can also freeze lemons for long-term storage
- Freeze whole lemons – Just place them in a freezer bag. When needed, run under warm water for a few seconds to soften.
- Freeze lemon slices – Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze, then transfer to a bag. Great for drinks and recipes!
- Freeze lemon juice and zest – Store juice in ice cube trays and zest in a small airtight container for easy use in cooking!
Some extra tips to help you keep lemons fresh and mold-free
- Choose firm, bright yellow lemons – Avoid ones with soft spots or green patches.
- Keep them dry – Moisture encourages mold growth. Wipe lemons before storing if they are damp.
- Don’t store lemons in plastic bags unless they’re in the fridge. Plastic traps moisture, making them rot faster.
- Use vinegar to clean lemons – Washing lemons in a vinegar-water solution can remove mold spores and extend shelf life.
Try these methods and never waste another lemon again!
SOURCES:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-lemon-health-benefits
https://food52.com/blog/21009-lemon-recipes-for-winter
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.
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