How to Store and Preserve Lemons: Here Are the Most Effective Methods and Tips to Keep Them Juicy for a Long Time

Lemons are among the most useful fruits in the kitchen: protagonists of many recipes, they are ideal for flavoring and enriching your dishes, but also for making refreshing drinks, sauces and condiments and even to help you with household cleaning. But how can you have them available for a long time? There are various methods that allow you to preserve them for a long time: from the fridge to the freezer, to preserves such as confit lemons, lemons in oil or candied peels. Here are the best methods for preserving lemons for as long as possible.

How to Store Lemons Outside Of The Fridge

Storing lemons outside the fridge is a great way to keep them juicy and aromatic for a few days. Choose a cool, dark place, away from heat sources and direct light: a fruit basket or a closed shelf are ideal. Avoid stacking lemons if you can to encourage air circulation and prevent the formation of mold. The ideal room temperature is around 59-64°F/15-18°C: in these conditions, lemons will keep for an average of 7-10 days. If you want to slightly extend the preservation of lemons, you can wrap them individually in kitchen paper.

How to Store Lemons in The Fridge

The cold of the refrigerator can make lemons lose their natural juiciness, so we suggest you avoid it as much as you can. During the warmer months, especially if the temperatures are very high, it is still advisable to store lemons in the refrigerator, wrapped in a sheet of kitchen paper. Avoid places that are too humid, as humidity encourages the formation of mold.

Place lemons in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and avoid contact with other foods: Lemons can absorb the odors of other foods. This way they can last up to 3 weeks.

When is it best to put them in the fridge? If they have already been cut, for example, lemons should be stored in the fridge, wrapped in cling film, to prevent them from oxidizing; but even if they are very ripe and the peel is starting to wrinkle, it is better to put them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process.

How to Store Lemons in The Freezer

You can store lemons in the fridge to have them available for a long time, both whole and in segments. You can also freeze the juice, portioning it, so you can use it when you need it.

• Whole or sliced ​​lemons. You can store whole lemons in the freezer for up to 3-4 months, but their consistency may change slightly after thawing, making them better for juicing than slicing. Alternatively, you can slice them and freeze them on a tray, then transfer them to a bag.
• Lemon Juice. Frozen in cubes or in an airtight container, lemon juice can last up to 6 months without losing its flavor.
• Lemon zest. The zest cut into thin slices, carefully avoiding the white part, can be stored in the freezer for several months, ideal for flavoring sweet or savory dishes.

How to Store Whole Lemons

To preserve whole lemons, you can prepare confit lemons, using salt: however, you must only use citrus fruits that are not treated with chemical and organic products. Put the lemons in cold water overnight, then dry them and, with a knife, cut them crosswise without cutting them completely. Rub them with coarse salt, put them in an airtight jar and cover everything with coarse salt. Close the jar well and put them in a dry, cool place, away from sources of light or heat. They will be ready after about a month: you can use them to enrich meat or fish dishes, sauces or even to flavor desserts and herbal teas.

Lemons in Oil and Other Preserves

You can also use lemons to make preserves, so you can have them available for many months. For example, you can prepare lemons in oil, by doing the following: wash the lemons thoroughly, dry them and cut them into thin slices, removing the seeds. Arrange the lemon slices in a container, alternating them with layers of coarse salt. Cover the container and leave to rest in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. The salt will help eliminate the bitterness and make the pulp firmer. After the necessary time has passed, rinse the lemon slices well under cold running water to remove the excess salt. Dry them thoroughly with absorbent paper.

In the meantime, sterilize the glass jars and lids. Arrange the lemon slices in the jars, alternating them with the spices of your choice (chili, bay leaves, juniper). Cover the lemons completely with good quality extra virgin olive oil: make sure all the slices are submerged to avoid oxidation. Close the jars hermetically and store them in a cool, dark place for at least 30 days before consuming them. In this way, the lemons in oil can be preserved for 10 months or even up to a year. Once the jar is opened, it is advisable to consume the lemons in oil within 3 weeks and store them in the refrigerator. You can also make a delicious lemon jam, or candied lemons.