Madeline Adams
You buy a bag of lemons, but only need one and ask yourself: How am I supposed to store the lemons so that they last as long as possible? It’s not magic – but you should pay attention to it!
Yellow citrus fruits are real vitamin C bombs and can be used in many ways in the kitchen. Since they come from the Mediterranean region, there are a few points to consider when storing lemons. Despite their thick shell, they can quickly become moldy, even the smallest of injuries is enough. And the mold also spreads quickly under the individual fruits. So what should you watch out for when storing lemons?
Before storing, lemons comes the purchase
There are a few things to consider when shopping. So you should only choose plump, fresh fruit and examine them for bruises or discoloration. They should also not be crushed when being transported in a bag or basket. Organic lemons rot faster than fruit that has been treated with pesticides, but they are still preferable for environmental and health reasons, especially since the peel can also be eaten. The aroma also suffers from the use of chemical toxins.
How do you store lemons properly?
The yellow vitamin bombs react sensitively to too much cold – but too warm isn’t good either.
Store lemons correctly – this is how it works:
- The temperature should be between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius.
- A cool, dark place is ideal, such as the pantry or basement.
- Do not store lemons on top of each other or too close together.
- Alternatively, the lemons can also be kept in a screw-top jar or sealable plastic container with water; the water should completely cover the fruit and be changed every two days.
With these tips, lemons will keep for about four weeks, or longer if the humidity is high. At room temperature, on the other hand, they can only be kept for around a week, they dry out and lose their aroma.
Can you store lemons in the fridge?
If you want to store lemons and avoid mold, the fridge is the perfect place, right? The experts disagree on that. What is certain is that the temperature should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius. And that’s why it’s too cold in the fridge at 5 to 7 degrees.
Nevertheless, for example, the consumer advice center recommends keeping the lemons in the vegetable compartment or the bottom compartment. If you don’t have a dark, cool room available, this could be an alternative. However, it should also be noted here that the fruits should not touch each other.
Store bananas and lemons together? Not a good idea
Bananas, like apples or tomatoes, continue to ripen after harvest and emit ethylene in the process. If they lie next to lemons, they can also rot faster. Therefore, citrus fruits should always be stored separately from other fruits and vegetables.
How to store cut lemons
Often you only need half a lemon. what to do with the rest Simply place cut-side down on a plate and refrigerate. To avoid mold, the cut surface should be dry beforehand. Cut lemons can also be stored in this way and will keep for a day or two.
