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alf or three-quarters of the way.
Submerge your lemons in the water, making sure they are completely covered (but not totally submerged). The water acts as a barrier, preventing air from reaching the lemons and stopping them from drying out or developing mold.
Place the jar or bowl in your refrigerator. The cool temperature combined with the water will keep your lemons fresh, plump, and mold-free for weeks.
Why Does This Work?
Water helps maintain the moisture balance of the lemons and prevents them from drying out. The refrigeration slows down the ripening process, allowing the lemons to stay fresh much longer. Since lemons contain citric acid, they naturally resist bacteria and mold growth, and keeping them hydrated in the fridge just enhances these properties.
How Long Will Lemons Last Using This Method?
When stored this way, lemons can last up to 3–4 weeks or even longer! This is a major improvement over the typical lifespan of a lemon, which tends to last only about a week or so at room temperature before showing signs of aging. If you’ve been throwing out moldy or shriveled lemons, you’ll be amazed at how much longer they stay fresh using this trick.
Bonus Tip: How to Store Lemon Slices or Juice
If you prefer to store lemon slices or juice rather than whole lemons, there’s an easy way to preserve them, too. For lemon slices, simply place the slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To keep them fresh for even longer, you can freeze lemon slices and use them in drinks, cooking, or as ice cubes.
For lemon juice, squeeze it into an ice cube tray, freeze, and transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can have fresh lemon juice ready to use any time, without worrying about spoilage.
Why You Should Make This Change
The small effort of changing how you store your lemons can save you time and money in the long run. Instead of tossing out lemons that have gone bad after a few days, you can keep them fresh for weeks. Plus, having fresh lemons readily available means you can use them more often in your cooking, drinks, and even as natural cleaning agents around the house.
Conclusion
The next time you buy a batch of lemons, try this simple trick to keep them fresh, juicy, and mold-free. By storing them in water in the fridge, you can enjoy lemons for weeks without worrying about them going bad too quickly. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to extend the life of your citrus, making sure you always have fresh lemons on hand for whatever your culinary heart desires.
With just a small change in how you store them, you can ensure that your lemons stay fresh and ready to use, so you’ll never have to deal with dried-out or moldy fruit again!
