Lemons and limes are essential in countless recipes – from zesty salad dressings and marinades to cocktails, bakes, and everything in between. Their sharp, bright flavour is a kitchen staple, especially in warmer months when refreshing, citrusy dishes are the go-to. But for all their versatility, citrus fruits have one important flaw: they can start turning dry and losing their flavour not long after being bought.
That’s why knowing how and where to store citrus properly can make a huge difference. This not only impacts its freshness, but also its flavour and functionality.
That’s why catering experts at Alliance Online shared their must-do hack when storing this noble fruit.
The experts stated: “Lemons, oranges and limes will keep for up to four times longer if stored in the fridge. That’s because the cooler temperature stops them from drying out.”
Making room in the fridge to store these fruits is a small habit that can go a long way toward reducing waste.
But location isn’t the only thing worth knowing when it comes to getting the most from your citrus.
If you’ve ever struggled to juice a firm lemon straight from the fridge, there’s a clever kitchen shortcut that solves the problem in just 20 seconds.
Good Food recommends briefly microwaving a lemon on high for 20 to 30 seconds before cutting it, which can massively improve juice yield and make squeezing much easier.
This softens the internal membranes, loosening the pulp and making the juice flow more freely.
Just be careful not to overheat them, as microwaving the lemon for too long can dry out the flesh, which defeats the purpose.
The food website explained that warming the lemon causes the cells to loosen and the juice-holding membranes to relax, which leads to a much easier and more efficient squeeze.
This trick is especially helpful when working with fruit that’s been chilled, as colder lemons and limes tend to be much firmer and less yielding.