If you have a lot of citrus fruit on your trees, you probably wonder how long lemons will last.
Since the answer to that question depends on how they are stored, these are some helpful hints to keep them lasting longer. At room temperature, lemons will last about a week. We like to keep some at room temperature when we need the juice for a salad dressing or as an addition to our cooking.
Usually, we do not keep many lemons on our counter as they will spoil more quickly. Most our ours go in the refrigerator.
If you put your lemons in the refrigerator, they should keep for two to three weeks at least. We have found ours stay good for over a month. Of course, that depends on how ripe they were when we put them in the fridge. Overripe lemons will not keep as long.
How you store your lemons in the refrigerator also depends on the container they are in. The best container is an airtight one. If you do not have an airtight one, you could use the drawer that is meant for fruits. You could also place them in a resealable bag before putting them in the fridge.
What happens if you only need a half of a lemon for a recipe? Can you store just a half? We have found cut ones can be stored, but only in the fridge. Left on the counter, they dry out and become unusable.
If you only need to keep the cut lemon for a day, place it cut side down on a plate before placing it in the fridge. Make sure the entire cut surface touches the plate. If you need to keep the cut lemon for a longer period of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
Did you know you can freeze lemons? If you have an abundance, this may be your best solution. Place them in a freezer safe bag. Try to get as much air out as possible before sealing it. They should stay good for three to four months.
Frozen lemons might be easier to zest when you just need the zest for a recipe. To thaw them, place them in a bowl of cold (not hot) water for about 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you could microwave them for just a few seconds.
For more ideas on using lemons check out https://www.forkscorksandbrews.com/lots-of-lemons/