Lemons are a fruit with countless uses in the kitchen: in food, in vinaigrettes for salads, in avgolemono sauce, in simple juices, in desserts, and even in drinks. It’s a seasoning that is present in our kitchen all year round. But are you sure you know how to store and preserve them properly?

How do we usually store them? As soon as we buy them from the greengrocer or supermarket, we immediately store them in our fridge. This is a big mistake because it shortens their shelf life and also takes up space in our fridge!

How should lemons be preserved? Outside the fridge, lemons can stay in good condition for up to 1 week. However, if we don’t use them daily and want to keep them for a longer period, we need to refrigerate them. How? Place them in an airtight container or a storage bag that seals tightly. Whether in the fridge or not, make sure they are kept away from fruits that produce ethylene, such as tomatoes and bananas. They can last this way for about 1 month in the fridge.

The water trick
If you want to keep them much longer, you can fill a large bowl with water and submerge as many lemons as it can hold (it won’t be many). The water tightens their exterior and keeps them juicy. If you frequently change the water and don’t forget about it, the lemons can last up to 3 months this way. However, this method is somewhat risky, takes up quite a bit of space, and can only accommodate a limited number of lemons.

How to preserve used lemons?
Many recipes require a little or half a lemon. What do we do with the rest? How long does it last, and what is the best way to keep it for a longer period? Once a lemon is cut, it should only be stored in the fridge. Either wrap it in plastic wrap or place it on a plate. In this case, its shelf life is limited to 2-3 days.

In the freezer
To have lemon available for an extended period, you can squeeze the lemons and fill ice cube trays.