| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 3-5 Days | 3-5 Weeks | 2-3 Months |
| Cut | - | 3-5 Days | 2-3 Months |
Shelf Life of Lemons:
The shelf life of lemons is quite long, usually surpassing the best-before date. The shelf life also depends on the condition of the lemon. Fresh lemons last for about four weeks at room temperature and for two months in the refrigerator. If the lemon is cut, it lasts for one day at room temperature and for three days in the fridge. Lemon juice lasts for one day at room temperature and for one week in the fridge.
If you put lemons in the freezer, they can last for up to four months, but it is not advisable to store lemons in the freezer, as they lose their texture and become mushy.
Purchasing Lemons:
To make your lemons last long, you should buy the freshest lemons. Look for lemons that don’t have any soft or dark spots on the skin, as these are signs of old age. The skin should be firm and thin, as lemons with firm, smooth, and thin skin tend to have more juice in them. If you see any kind of discoloration on the skin of the lemon, it indicates spoilage and old age of lemons.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that lemons that have soft parts develop mold on them. These molds are very dangerous, and you should get rid of these lemons.
Storing Lemons:
There are two ways to store lemons. You can either store them in their whole form or as lemon juice. It is better to keep your lemons away from ethylene-producing fruits, as they tend to spoil the lemons. You can store your lemons in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will last for up to two months.
To store lemon juice, you can either put the juice in an airtight bottle or freeze it into ice cubes using an ice cube tray. The lemon juice stored in the airtight bottle in the fridge can last for about one to two weeks, while the frozen lemon juice cubes can last for up to four months.
How to Handle Lemons:
Lemons are one of the easiest things to handle. You don’t have to wash, thaw, or even cook them before use. All you must do is either get the juice or lemon zest out of the lemons.
To obtain the lemon juice, all you need to do is squeeze, it either using your hands or by using a lemon squeezer. There are three tips that will help you get the maximum juice out of a lemon. Before squeezing it, put it in warm water for ten to fifteen minutes, microwave it for thirty seconds, or roll it gently on the kitchen counter. This helps in getting all the juice out of the lemon.
Cooking with Lemons:
Lemons are usually used for seasoning. There are hardly any vegetable and fruit salads that don’t require lemon seasoning. Lemon juice helps keep salad fresh and gives it a tangy taste that makes the salad taste even better.
Apart from salads, lemons are largely used in drinks, smoothies, and cakes. Lemons are also used in making curries. Hence, it is a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of ways while cooking.