Fresh lemons should be slightly firm, should be free of soft spots, mold, and smooth skin, and have a pleasant citrus aroma. Old lemons taste astringent and have little juice , so they can be discarded. Lemons that have gone bad should not be eaten. So how do we tell if a lemon is bad? We need to check the lemon for signs of rot to see if your lemon has gone bad.
Check the rind
Old lemons may develop white, green, dark brown, or black mold. Mold may be fuzzy or appear wet. If you see any black spots, vague rot, or green or black discoloration, the lemon has gone bad and should be thrown away. Another way to tell if a lemon has gone bad is to test its texture. A fresh lemon should feel firm and heavy in your hand. If the lemon feels very limp, shriveled, or slimy, it's probably past its prime and should be discarded.
Check the pulp
If the lemon feels light, or looks dry when you cut it open, or the pulp has pulled away from the skin and feels sticky, the lemon is past its prime. Mold usually occurs on the rind of lemons, but it can also occur on the inside of the lemon , so check for mold inside the lemon as well .
Check the smell
If the lemon has a strong pungent or ammonia-like odor, or a distinct sour or fermented smell. If it has a strong, unpleasant smell, it's time to throw it away. If you juice a lemon, you can also tell if the lemon has gone bad by examining the juice itself. Squeeze the lemon and smell the juice - if it smells bad, it's best to discard it.
How to store lemons
First , you should choose lemons that are firm to the touch, bright yellow in color, have thin, shiny skin, and are heavy.
Fresh lemons can be kept for up to a month if kept in the refrigerator under proper conditions. Lemons can be frozen whole or sliced into freezer bags . Fresh lemons are best placed in plastic bags or airtight containers to prevent moisture from entering. Lemons that are halved or peeled can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week if placed in a ziplock bag or wrapped in plastic wrap. Keep lemons at room temperature for up to a week.
How to use up extra lemons
You can use up excess lemons in the following ways:
Recipes using lemon juice
Many recipes call for lemon juice , which you can make from lemons. Juicing uses up a bunch of lemons in no time. However, fresh lemon juice only lasts a few days, so you may want to consider freezing leftover lemon juice.
Make drinks
There are many types of drinks that require the use of lemon or lemon juice. You can search for recipes for drinks that call for lemon.
as air freshener
Make your own air freshener using lemons. Fill a small bowl with water, add lemon slices and bring to a boil, then pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
Make a body scrub
Lemon scrub is a simple, nourishing beauty product that can be kept in the bathroom or given as a gift. They are made by mixing lemon juice with sugar and coconut oil. Mix the juice and sugar, then add the coconut oil. Put the scrub in a jar and you have a homemade scrub for your hands and body.
