Lemon Questions, Answered

All your most pressing lemon questions, answered here!

Whether you juice, zest, slice, or use them whole, lemons are among the most useful and versatile cooking ingredients. Let’s dive into answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about lemons.

Is A Lemon A Fruit?

Yes, as a seed-bearing structure, a lemon is a fruit. Specifically, it’s a citrus fruit in the same category as oranges, limes, and grapefruits, among others.

How Much Juice Is In One Lemon?

There are approximately 2 tablespoons of juice in a typical medium-sized lemon. Of course, lemons come in different sizes and degrees of juiciness, so juice quantities can vary.

Are Lemons Good For You?

Yes, lemons provide many health benefits! For starters, lemons are significant sources of nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, iron, and potassium. Also, essential oils in lemons can help protect against certain types of cancer.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, starting your day with lemon water (i.e., the juice of half a lemon squeezed into a glass of water) can positively impact your health, from aiding in digestion to helping to prevent kidney stones.

While lemons are good for you, moderation is key, as with many things in life. Due to their high acidity, fresh lemons and undiluted lemon juice—aside from being intolerably sour for most people—can damage your tooth enamel, making them more susceptible to cavities and decay.

How Many Calories Are In A Lemon?

A medium-large lemon provides 29 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

How Long Do Lemons Last?

Stored at room temperature, lemons will last for 1 to 2 weeks. If you’d like to keep lemons fresh for longer — up to a month — stash them in the high-humidity drawer of your refrigerator. Once you notice them become moldy or squishy, it’s time to throw them out.

Can You Freeze Lemons?

Yes. When you find yourself with more lemons than you can use at the moment, go ahead and freeze them and they’ll last for 3 to 4 months. You can freeze lemons in pretty much any form — whole, wedges, slices, juice, or zest. If you freeze whole lemons, keep in mind that they’ll be a little mushy once they’re thawed, but you can still use them for juice.

Does Lemon Juice Go Bad?

Yes, lemon juice can spoil over time. If it looks, smells, or tastes “off,” toss it. Kept refrigerated, freshly squeezed lemon juice should remain fresh for 2 to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze lemon juice for up to 3 to 4 months. (Try freezing in ice cube trays for convenient portions.)

Can Dogs Eat Lemons?

No. As wonderful as lemons are for humans, they’re not a good choice for dogs. Not only do dogs not enjoy the sour taste, more importantly, lemons can also cause digestive problems for our canine companions.