My family and I have always been big fans of lemons. When my kids were little, I would always bring cut up lemons on long car rides in case they got car sick and felt nauseous; eating lemons really helped them feel better (and probably distracted them from feeling sick, lol)!
I drink lemon water almost every day (and sometimes add mint or basil to it, yum!), and there’s hardly ever a time when I don’t have lemons in my home.
Are lemons a staple in your home? If so, what are some of the different ways you use lemons? Please let me know in the comment section below!
Lemons are the zest!
Lemons are among the world’s most popular citrus fruits. They grow on lemon trees which thrive in mild, warm climates. They’re a great source of vitamin C and fiber and contain many plant compounds, minerals, and essential oils.
The most common varieties of lemons you see in grocery stores are Eureka or Lisbon. These lemons are very similar, usually medium-sized, oval, bright yellow inside and out with few seeds and a tangy flavor. You may also find Meyer lemons in stores, although they are usually seasonal and available around the December to May timeframe. They’re smaller, sweeter and thinner-skinned than regular lemons and are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange.
Lemons will be their juiciest when stored at room temperature. If you plan to keep them longer than a few days, store them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. They can last for up to a month this way, but before juicing, let them warm to room temperature for best results.*
Cooking with lemons
If you have lots of lemons and you’re not sure what to do with them, check out the variety of recipes from Williams Sonoma that use lemons, below is a list of some of them. They all sound so good.
Lemon Doughnuts
Meyer Lemon French Toast
Lemon Curd
Lemon Meringue Pie with Gingersnap Crust
Lemon Chiffon Pie
Lemon Risotto
Pork Chops With Meyer Lemon
Salmon With Lemon and Fennel
Lemon Verbena Lemonade
Be sure to research what gadgets you’ll need to work with lemons and have them on hand such as a lemon/citrus squeezer, a citrus juicer and a zester.
For NCP Panel Members
If you buy lemons, whether individually or in a bag, if there isn’t a UPC barcode for you to scan, please check the Non-Barcoded Items list in the NCPMobile app (or the Barcode Reference Booklet if you use NCP’s handheld scanner) to report the purchase. You will find lemons listed in the Fruits category; choose the sub-category “Other Citrus” to report your lemon purchases.
And remember, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Regards,
Taylor
*Sources: The Spruce Eats and Healthline.com.
More from NCP:
What’s in Season? (October 23, 2023)
Smoothies Are Refreshing and Healthy Treats (June 21, 2023)
Iced Tea: It’s What’s Brewing (June 1, 2023)
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I loved my lemon in my tea as well as on some redipe but I also used the lemon to clean my wood cutting board with salt.
I use lemons in a lot of recipes used as zest or juice to bake for the farmers market…Lemon Blueberry Bread, Lemon Cookies, Blueberry Scones, etc. Recently I found Meyers lemons and used them in a new Bundt Cake I gave to a friend’s family as a sympathy gift. 🍋🍋🍋
Definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for the Meyer lemons they sound pretty fantastic, as well as the french toast recipe. Never knew there was such a variety of lemons. -key take away, I can make more than lemonade when I feel I’ve been handed a bunch, thanks Taylor !
Meyer lemons are wonderful? Lemons are very acidic and can take the enamel off your teeth, so rinse mouth out after drinking lemonade.
I know you can freeze oranges when you don’t want them to go bad I wonder if you might be able to freeze lemons just the same. I really don’t see why not.
I juice my lemons and fill ice trays with the juice for a quick tablespoon! Waa!Laa!
I LOVE this idea! Thanks!
I love lemons in my tea. Of course Lemonade is always so refreshing.
Idk you could freeze oranges! Thanks for the tip!
I love fresh squeezed lemonade made with real sugar. I try to buy it in the stores but come to find out there’s very few juice brands that seem homemade.
Lemons have an abundance of uses from cooking to cleaning that it is an essential in my home. And as a professional cook its mandatory list from the grocery store.
I love to drink lemon water.
I’ve been learning to bake and cook new recipes since lock down of the world. I discovered fruits can be used so much. Thanks for lemon recipes I had only used for lemonade and tea .Today is my first time here I’ve been missing out so much information.
I use to eat lemons just cut them in slices like oranges.Sometimed I would add some salt to to the before I eat them.They work great if you are at a restaurant and you have a slice on your plate you can use it just by rubbing it on your hands and then dry them off with your napkin.I use it when I cook salmon I slice up some lemon put it on the salmon and add some thyme and wrapped in foil and put in oven on 350.You can also cut them into slices and put the in a dish and put it beside your bed use as an air freshener.
I always have lemons and limes in my house. I cook with them and I eat them.
You can also cut up and place in ice cube trays with water to serve in drinks or add flavor to dishes.
I make angel hair pasta with evoo, fresh basil, 5 cloves of garlic chopped, lemon juice, 4 pepprocini peppers with some of the juice. The two ingredients I substitute out for are the anchovies and red pepper flakes. I dont like these 2. Salt to your taste. Boil angel hair pasta according to the directions strain and at sauce. Yummy
They have so many uses and are so healthy. Love them in my tea especially.
I enjoy lemon in my iced tea squeezed on shrimp. And used to make lemonade
I like to drink warm water with lemon in the morning to cleanse the liver. I also make natural air freshener with them. I cut them in half, take out the pulp and fill the peels with salt and then put them in bathroom, kitchen, etc.
I use lemons in my water and tea. I think the scent of lemons in lotion is wonderful
Does it help with weight loss??
I use fresh lemons and strawberries and make homemade strawberry lemonade and drink that everyday
Taylor,
I love lemons in my water tea. I really like lemon pies,donuts all kinds of things.
Thank you for sharing.
Lemons are a staple in my home as well. I use them for cleaning and disinfecting inside and outside. Of course I cook, bake and make beverages with them. The peels and zest work wonders for skincare, irritation and bug bites/stings. I often think about planting a lemon tree in my backyard!
Love lemons in my sweet southern ice tea.