Lemons and limes are a great addition to make your drinks refreshing, especially as we head into the warmer seasons. However, when not stored properly, it’s common for these fruits to spoil more quickly and go to waste.
A catering expert has shared key advice on how to keep your lemons and limes fresher for longer. Alliance Online said: “Lemons, oranges, and limes will keep for up to four times longer if stored in the fridge. That’s because the cooler temperature stops them from drying out.”
If citrus is your main concern when it comes to fruit—whether you’re cooking, baking, or just making a fresh drink—there’s also an easy way to squeeze out every last drop of juice.
According to BBC Good Food, the key to getting the most out of your lemon’s juiciness lies in a simple yet slightly unusual 20-second microwave trick.
The method is simple: take a whole lemon, place it in the microwave, and heat it on high for about 20 to 30 seconds. This short burst of heat softens the lemon’s internal structure, making it much easier to extract juice when you cut and squeeze it.
The reasoning behind this technique is based on how heat affects the lemon’s pulp. Warming it loosens the juice-holding membranes, allowing the liquid to be released more freely. This trick is especially helpful for hard or chilled lemons, which can be notoriously tough to juice.
Using this quick 20-second hack makes squeezing almost effortless, and you’ll get far more juice than from a cold or unheated lemon. However, it’s important not to overdo it—microwaving the lemon for too long can dry out the flesh, making it even harder to juice, according to BBC Good Food.
The goal is to warm the lemon just enough to soften it, without cooking or dehydrating it. This microwave trick is ideal for anyone who frequently uses lemons and wants to save time and effort in the kitchen. It’s also a great tip for busy cooks who want to avoid the frustration of dealing with tough, dry fruit.
Lemons also offer another benefit after they ripen—they can help in your garden. You can tailor your compost to your soil type. For example, some plants require more alkaline soil, while others thrive in acidic conditions.
Common plants that do well in acidic soil include azaleas, hydrangeas, and gardenias. Similarly, fruits like cranberries and blueberries also benefit from more acidic soil.
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