Kitchen Tips: 6 Interesting Ways To Store Lemons And Keep Them Fresh

Lemons are naturally acidic and have a short shelf life if not stored properly and at the right temperature. They dry out very quickly and develop unwanted dark spots, and eventually rot. This is because the thin skin of a lemon has tiny pores that are difficult to see. These pores enable moisture to escape, causing the fruit to dry out and lose flavor. Generally, we store lemons in our kitchen at normal room temperature or keep them in the fridge. However, by the time we want to squeeze some lemon juice, we often find that the lemons have turned hard and dry with a brownish tinge. Not many of us know that lemons kept at room temperature for a long time turn hard.

While buying lemons from the market, keep in mind that you should buy only fresh and thin-skinned lemons, as they are more juicy than lemons with hard peel. The condition of the lemons you buy really affects their shelf life. However, to make things easier for you, we have listed down different ways that you can store them at home and keep them fresh for longer.

Here are 6 interesting ways to store lemons and keep them fresh:

1. Dip them in water

An easy way to keep lemons fresh for longer is to store them in a glass jar filled with water. Put all the lemons in a jar filled with water and keep them in the fridge. This will keep them fresh and juicy for several days.

Read also: Kitchen Tips: 5 Mistakes We Should Not Make While Storing Food In The Refrigerator

2. Avoid storing them with apples and bananas

Ethylene is a hormone that causes fruits to ripen and go rancid, and lemons are especially sensitive to it. Therefore, keeping lemons should be avoided near fruits that produce ethylene, such as apricots, apples, bananas, etc.

_{Avoid placing lemons near ethylene-producing fruits. Photo Credit: Photo: iStock}

3. Seal Them

One of the best ways to store lemons is to put them in a sealed zip-lock bag and remove all the air. This prevents air from entering the bag, which helps the lemons retain their juice and flavor longer.

Read also: 5 mistakes we all make when storing food

4. Use a Plastic Container

We all have plastic containers at home. All you have to do is wrap the lemons in plastic wrap and put them in an air-tight container and keep them in the fridge.

_{Use a tight plastic container to store lemons. photo credit: iStock}

5. Wrap Them In Aluminum Foil

When you only have a few lemons to store, it’s best to wrap each one individually in aluminum foil to help prolong their freshness. Wrapping them in foil prevents moisture from leaking out and helps retain the lemons’ natural moisture, which can prevent them from drying out and becoming hard.

Read also: How Not To Store Common Foods For Better Shelf Life

6. Lemon juice

This is the most efficient way to preserve lemon juice over time. Simply juice whole lemons and store them in a glass jar in the fridge. For a deeper flavor, add sugar and salt. Lemon juice keeps better and lasts longer when sugar is added to it.

_{Lemon juice can be added to salads and food. Photo Credit: Facebook/Skin & Beauty}

Which method did you find most helpful? Tell us in the comment section.

(This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult an expert or your own doctor for further details. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information does.)