Lemons, we always have them in our pantry. And for good reason, it is the essential citrus fruit to spice up all our dishes; but also to detoxify our body. Apart from the fact that precisely by buying them and storing them for a long time in the kitchen, we risk that they rot and have to be thrown away reluctantly.You may not have known it, but there are several ways to make them last longer, without the risk of them getting 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, grate their peel and squeeze the juice. Put everything in 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 that almost all of us make is to keep that half open. Inevitably, it loses its freshness and its nutritional properties. The good reflex: use the toothpicks by inserting them between one half and the other of the lemon to collect it. This way it will stay fresh and ready to use for several days!

Lemons in water – Source: spm

In water

This method is also useful because the whole lemon is preserved. This simple and practical trick allows you to keep 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 put everything in the fridge for at least 2 or 3 days. On the other hand, if you only need to keep half a lemon, place the cut half upside down in a saucer filled with water so that the pulp is preserved.

With salty seasoning

Finally, the last method is undoubtedly the most laborious 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 of the squeezed lemons (as much as possible, of course). Then bake at 190º for about twenty minutes and then another 10 to 150º. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool. Finally,  pour everything into a jar. You have just made an ideal sauce for pasta, cold rice, salads, etc. This sauce will be very useful on a daily basis to keep in your pantry.

Lemon tree – Source: spm

How to grow lemons in a pot at home?

We saw 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 plenty of sunshine

Plant

1. Put the soil in the pot and add some water to moisten it.

2. Cut the lemon and choose the seed with the best shape. Do not dry it out, moisture can still help. Make a small hole in the bottom and put the seed in it.

3. Cover with soil and more water.

4. Cover the pot with plastic wrap to lock 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 as soon as the lemon tree starts 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 a day and the soil around it should be constantly moist.

There you go, you can grow your own lemons at home!