Lemons have a variety of uses in the kitchen, and if you don’t store them correctly, they’ll go mouldy – but one trick could help them last for months at a time
Altering how you store lemons could extend their lifespan to “months” instead of mere weeks. Lemons are incredibly useful, and many households keep them readily available for use in various ways – from incorporating them into baked goods, elevating the taste of seafood and poultry, to adding them to water for a revitalising beverage.
Indeed, this citrus fruit can also serve as an effective cleaning agent. Placing lemon slices in water within your microwave, oven, or kettle can help break down accumulated dirt inside these appliances, enabling you to clean them without spending hours scrubbing away limescale deposits or dried-on food remnants.
But because lemons aren’t typically peeled and consumed whole, it’s remarkably common to purchase a pack with good intentions of using them, only to find they’ve shrivelled and begun developing mould before you’ve had the chance.
Like most produce, they won’t last particularly long if left in a fruit bowl on your kitchen worktop. There is, however, a food storage technique you can employ to maximise your lemons’ potential.
Kate Lewis demonstrated the tip on TikTok, describing it as “so simple” that she was astonished she’d only just discovered it. The solution merely requires moving them from your usual fruit bowl location to somewhere rather unexpected.
In her video, she revealed: “There is a way to keep your lemons and limes from going bad so fast. And it’s simply storing them in water in the fridge.” Kate always washes her lemons in a water-and-white-vinegar solution prior to storing them in order to remove the “artificial wax” layer.
However, in UK supermarkets, unwaxed lemons are readily available, meaning you may be able to skip this step depending on the variety you’ve purchased.
Once her lemons are cleaned, Kate fills a glass jar with water, places them inside, seals it tightly, and puts it in the fridge. She claims the lemons will last “up to four weeks” this way.
Viewers commenting on the video were astounded by the tip, with many admitting they had no idea lemons could be stored in this manner.
One person said: “I do this after seeing it on this app!” Another added: “Wow, I did not know! Brilliant.”
Nevertheless, there are some words of caution to bear in mind before attempting the hack yourself. Storing lemons in water can potentially cause food poisoning if the storage conditions are not properly managed.
While lemon juice is highly acidic and naturally inhibits many bacteria, submerging whole or cut lemons in water introduces a risk of bacterial contamination (such as Salmonella or Listeria) if basic hygiene is neglected.
To minimise these risks, thoroughly wash the lemons and store them in clean, filtered water in the fridge. Replace the water every few days to prevent it from stagnating, and always discard any fruit that smells unpleasant. Avoid placing bare hands into the water. Instead, use clean tongs or utensils to retrieve a lemon when needed.
More ways to properly store lemons
Short-term storage (1 to 2 weeks):
- Store lemons at room temperature in a bowl or fruit basket on the kitchen counter. They may lose moisture and turn hard after a few days when stored this way, so they must be used quickly.
- Alternatively, you can place your lemons directly in the salad drawer of your fridge. This can help them stay fresh for around 2 to 3 weeks.
Long-term storage:
- Refrigerate in a sealed plastic or silicone zip-top bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. This method can help your lemons last up to four weeks.
- You can also freeze whole lemons, lemon juice or lemon zest, making your fruit last for several months.
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