By KHYATI DAND
How To Freeze Lemons For Extended Freshness
You can freeze lemons whole or in slices, wedges, and wheels to keep them fresh for longer. You can even freeze freshly-squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon peels.
While whole lemons stay fresh for about a week at room temperature and about three to four weeks in the refrigerator, sliced ones dry out three to four days after being cut.
Frozen lemons, however, stay fresh for up to four months. To freeze a whole lemon, wash it and dry it thoroughly so that remnants of water don't freeze into icicles around it.
You can then put it in an airtight freezer-safe bag before placing it in the freezer. Zested lemons should be wrapped in plastic or foil before being placed in freezer-safe bags.
When you want to use the frozen fruit, thaw it in cold water for 10-15 minutes. You can also thaw frozen whole lemons in a microwave for a couple of seconds.
Lemon wedges, wheels, and peels can be frozen the same as whole lemons, in airtight freezer-safe bags. Freeze them individually on a lined baking tray first so they don’t clump.
You can also freeze lemon slices in a muffin tin. Place a slice in each cup, add some water on top and other toppings like mint or berries, and then freeze.
Freshly-squeezed lemon juice and zest can also be frozen into ice cubes and added to cold beverages. Just put some spoonfuls in an ice cube tray and pop it in the freezer.