283175 Mon Feb 13 14:05:36 -0800 2006 10 31 Home Cooking 0 1510988 Fed up w/ the vile off the shelf lemon juice, I decided to stick to the real thing (why it took me so long to figure this out is another matter completely). Rather then use a single lemon, I’d like to use 5 or 6 lemons (or limes) at a time for convenience. Is there any specific way I should store straight lemon juice? In glass or in plastic? Covered or not covered? Refrigerated or not? Will it sit well or do I need to add some other ingredient(s) to increase its shelf life? Any thoughts, in non-chemical engineering speak, are greatly appreciated. TIA. Mon Feb 13 14:05:36 -0800 2006 0 MShapiro 1 1510990 I think the flavor starts to change pretty quickly from perfect lemon juice to that other lemon flavor, what canned lemonade tastes like for that reason, I store my lemon juice in the lemons and have a juicer I don't mind using all the time on the counter maybe you can freeze it? Mon Feb 13 14:12:16 -0800 2006 1510988 0 pitu 1 1510993 One thing that's been recommended a lot is to freeze it in tablespoon amounts in ice cube thingies (great technical term...but my brain can't bring up the right word!!). Then pop out the cubes and put them in zip-loc bags in the freezer for whenever you need them. Personally, I never have done this. I put my lemons in a bowl on our kitchen table as a decorative centerpiece, and grab as many as I need when I need them. I have a small juicer that I use if I need a large amount (say a cup), but I usually use a reamer, or just hand squeeze for smaller amounts. A fork actually does the trick quite well, too. Just be sure to roll the lemons on your countertop, applying good pressure, to release the juices before you cut the fruit. And I'm sure you know this, but just in case, never store lemons in the fridge. Mon Feb 13 14:17:48 -0800 2006 1510988 0 wyf4lyf 2 1510999 why never store them in the fridge? Mon Feb 13 14:41:11 -0800 2006 1510993 0 helen 3 1511004 They won't give up as much juice if they are cold. I think they tend to shrivel up faster too. Mon Feb 13 14:47:47 -0800 2006 1510999 0 Candy 4 1511009 I sometimes zap a fridged lemon in the microwave before juicing it. A few seconds (15?) on low will warm it up enough to give a lot more juice. And I'm another "juice 'em as you need 'em" person. I like using a fork (usually, because the reamer and juicer are still unwashed...). Anne Mon Feb 13 15:08:56 -0800 2006 1511004 0 AnneInMpls 1 1510996 My BF has one of those reamers that screws onto a jar to catch the juice, also strains out seeds and large pulpy chunks, and it is one of the few single use kitchen gadgets I approve of. Makes it really easy, doesn't even have to go in the dishwasher, just rinse it and put in in the rack to dry. Of course, he is also the one with the hyper-prolific meyer lemon tree. Mon Feb 13 14:34:46 -0800 2006 1510988 0 Louise 1 1510998 I prefer fresh lemon juice but also keep Minute Maid 100% pure lemon juice in a squeeze bottle my fridge. I get it where the frozen juices are in the grocery store. It keeps for months and is handy to have around. Mon Feb 13 14:38:34 -0800 2006 1510988 0 Candy 2 1511058 I usually have some of the Minute Maid stuff on hand for emergencies, too. Even though it's 100% lemon juice, it still has that funny "I'm not fresh from the lemon" taste. But at least it's not the reconstituted, bottled stuff. :) Mon Feb 13 17:50:51 -0800 2006 1510998 0 wyf4lyf 1 1511039 I think the flavor really changes in the fridge. It's as if it loses its bite and gets almost sweet. You can however juice them and freeze a tablespoon in each well of your ice cube tray, then put all the cubes/flakes in a bag. Just pull out and add as needed. Mon Feb 13 16:33:43 -0800 2006 1510988 0 Aaron 1 1511079 If you freeze it in one-cup increments (I used to have these tiny little freezer tubs, but I bet you could pour a cup into a small ziplock freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and freeze), then when it's thawed, putting 1 cup lemon juice + 1 cup sugar in a half-gallon pitcher and filling with cold water makes a great pitcher of lemonade. (I learned that when we lived in So. California and all of our friends had citrus trees...) The juice will keep in the freezer for a very long time. Mon Feb 13 19:14:01 -0800 2006 1510988 0 Zorra