Lemon is a wonderful fruit to use in the kitchen. It is the most versatile fruit that's great in both sweet and savory dishes. Lemons add acidity and flavor to a myriad of meals. They're also an excellent source of vitamin C.
If you've got lots of lemons to use you might be wondering, how long do lemons last?
Lemons have a fairly long shelf life. How long lemons last depends on various factors, including the ripeness and condition of the lemons, storage methods, and if you're storing whole lemons, juice, or cut lemons.
How long do lemons last?
For whole lemons, the shelf life of fresh lemons is approximately 2-4 weeks at room temperature. Or 1-2 months in the refrigerator.
This depends greatly on when they were picked, the room temperature and if the citrus fruits had any spoils or blemishes on them before being stored, and their storage conditions.
When storing them on the kitchen counter or in the fridge, check them periodically for signs of spoilage. Lemons store best in a cool place. If you want to store them at room temperature, find a spot in your house like a cool pantry that doesn't get too warm. The best option is to store them in the refrigerator.
They can be kept in the crisper drawer or in a bowl of water in the fridge. The water keeps the whole lemons cold and protected.
Whole fresh lemons can also be frozen for up to 3 months. However, the freezer will change the texture of the fruit. When fruits are frozen, their structure breaks down. This means when they are defrosted they will be very soft inside. This is a problem if you were wanting to cut firm lemon slices. It's not a problem if you were just wanting the juice.
Store them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
Storing cut lemons
Cut lemons won't last as long. Cut fruits are exposed to oxygen and this will speed up bacterial growth. Lemon wedges or halves will last a couple of days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag or wrapped in plastic wrap. This removes the excess air and helps slow down spoilage. Cut lemon halves or lemon wedges are best used on the same day if they're stored at room temperature.
How long does fresh lemon juice last?
Lemon juice enhances the flavor of other fruits and complements sweet and savory flavors. It can also help fruits like apples and pears from oxidizing and discoloring.
Fresh lemon juice that you have squeezed yourself will last up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator. To extend the life of the juice, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freezing the juice in ice cube trays will give you individual portions of juice to add to recipes. Add one or two lemon ice cubes to a glass of cold water to create a refreshing drink of lemon water!
If you're wanting all the vitamin C benefits of lemon juice it is best to consume it within the day it is squeezed as vitamin C does begin to degrade the longer the juice sits.
A store-bought bottle of lemon juice will have a much longer shelf life than homemade fresh juice as they will have extra preservatives added to ensure it lasts longer. You can extend the life of your lemon juice by canning it too.
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