Lemons, we always have them in our pantry. And for good reason it is the essential citrus fruit to brighten up all our dishes; but also to detoxify our body. Except that the very act of buying them and storing them in the kitchen for a long time puts us at risk of them rotting and having to be reluctantly thrown away. You may not have known it, but there are several ways to make them last longer that they become moldy.
Check out these four ways to store lemons for a long time so they don’t rot or go to waste unnecessarily.
Lemon in ice cube trays – Source: spm
In ice cube trays
The first method is the ice cube method . This original but really effective trick will prevent you from wasting your lemons and preserve their freshness for a long time.
Take your lemons, zest them and squeeze out the juice. Pour everything into the ice cube molds. All you have to do is put them in the freezer. When they have solidified well, take them out of the molds, put them in a silicone insulated bag and put them back in the freezer. You can take them out at any time and use them for all occasions.
With toothpicks
The second method is to use toothpicks. As you know, we often have the habit of cutting the lemon in half and using only half while the other part goes back into the fridge. However, the mistake almost all of us make is keeping that half open. Inevitably it loses its freshness and nutritional properties. The good reflex: Use the toothpicks by inserting them between one half and the other of the lemon to collect them. This keeps it fresh and ready to use for several days!
Lemons in water – Source: spm
In water
This method also makes sense because the whole lemon is preserved. This simple and practical trick allows you to store your lemons for longer without them getting moldy. Simply place them in a container and add enough water to cover them. Place the lid on the container and refrigerate for at least 2 or 3 days. On the other hand, if you only need to store half a lemon, place the cut half upside down in a saucer filled with water to preserve the pulp.
With salty spice
Finally, the last method is undoubtedly the most complex procedure of all. Take a baking dish and place a layer of sea salt in it. Then add the zest of 5 lemons. Use a spoon to mix everything together. Then pour the juice from the squeezed lemons (as much as possible, of course). Then bake at 190° for about twenty minutes and then another 10 to 150°. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool. Finally, pour everything into a glass. You just have an ideal sauce for pasta, cold rice, salads, etc. This sauce will be very useful to keep in your pantry on a daily basis.
Lemon tree – source: spm
How to grow lemons in a pot at home?
We’ve seen how to store lemons, now see how to grow them at home
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- Any type of organic soil
- A suitable container or pot
- An environment with lots of sunshine
Plant
1. Put the soil in the pot and add a little water to moisten it.
2. Cut the lemon and select the seed with the best shape. Don’t dry it out, moisture can still help. Make a small hole in the ground and place the seed in it.
3. Cover with soil and more water.
4. Cover the pot with plastic wrap to seal in moisture, then place it in a sunny location.
5. Be careful not to overwater, which can cause seed rot. Keep an eye on the pot and once the lemon tree begins to grow, remove the plastic. This should usually happen within one to two weeks.
6. Place the pot in full sun. Remember that your lemon tree needs eight hours of light every day and the soil around it should be constantly moist.
There you go, you can grow your own lemons at home!