Can Lemons Go Bad in the Fridge? – How Do You Know When Lemons are Bad?

Can Lemons Go Bad in Water?: People love to add citrus, nutrient-rich lemons to their everyday routine. So if you have bought a bunch of lemons from the store, then you might ask yourself can lemons go bad? Other questions are what is the shelf life of lemons, how to store lemons safely, and signs to tell that it has gone bad.

You can extend the life span of lemons by keeping them at low temperatures. There are plenty of dishes, drinks, beverages, and so on that, you can make with lemons. Also, know the surprising facts about the lemons in the following sections.

can lemons go bad

Can Lemons Go Bad? How To Tell If Lemons Went Bad?

Yes, lemons go bad if not stored properly. In general, the largest and fresh lemons have about 89% of water. The simple trick is to store lemons at room temperature or in the fridge to maintain their quality for more time.

Actually, lemons have a shorter shelf life when stored inappropriately. Therefore it is best to check the signs of spoilage before using them.

Whole Raw Lemon

Mostly, you can easily tell if lemons are spoiled or not by just cutting them. When you observe any mold, or green fuzzy coating, simply discard the fruit. The water content in the lemons helps any microorganisms to move freely.

Over the period, lemons start to shrive, and their skin becomes wrinkly. If the fruit’s texture, smell, taste or color changes, then it should be thrown outside.

Squeezed Lemon Juice

When you store the lemon juice, then you need to verify whether it has gone bad or not. Firstly, check the smell and taste of the juice. The fresh lemon juice taste is tart and color is bright yellow, if you observe any other changes then it is not safe to consume.

The citrus acid present in the lemon juice doesn’t allow bacteria to grow. But there is a chance of bacteria infestation in the juice which is not safe to drink.

How To Store Lemons?

We already know that lemons have a shorter life span, and the proper storage conditions are helpful to extend shelf life. So it is better to follow the better tips to store lemons fresh as long as possible.

If you are okay with the shorter shelf life, then you can leave the fruit in the fruit basket or pantry at room temperature. It is advised to store the fresh citrus fruit (lemon) in the fridge to increase the life span. There are two choices for refrigerating lemons, one is to simply place them as in the vegetable rack to stay good for 2 to 3 weeks.

To keep the lemons for 6 weeks, you need to follow instructions while refrigerating. That is place the lemons in an airtight container like a freezer bag and remove air from it and seal it tightly. Finally, keep the bag either in the refrigerator or freezer. In this way, you can preserve lemons easily. For cut lemon pieces, you can place them in the fridge or freezer to maintain good for 4 months.

Can Lemons Go Bad

How Long Do Lemons Last?

Lemons will last for 6 weeks or more. If you leave the fresh lemons at room temperature in the kitchen, then they will last for 1 to 2 weeks based on the temperature.

In the fridge, lemons can last for about 3 to weeks in a freezer bag. The amount of citrus in the lemons is more when stored in the fridge. The cut lemons will last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Check the below provided Lemons Shelf Life Chart.

LemonsPantryFridgeFreezer
Whole2 to 4 weeksUp to 2 months1 to 4 months
Cut/2 to 4 days4 months
Fresh lemon juice/2 to 4 days5 months
Lemon juice in a resealable bottle/Up to 6 months/
Squeezed, fresh lemonade/7 days5 months
Unopened processed lemonade/10 to 14 days/
Unopened bottled lemon juice/12 to 18 months/
Opened processed lemonade/7 days4 months
Opened bottled lemon juice/2 months/

how long do lemons last at room temperature

Risk of Consuming Expired Lemons

It is rare to get sick of sour lemon as it looks bad once spoiled. If Cladosporium, Penicillium or Alternaria affect this lemon, it will be covered with green powder or dust.

Consuming moldy lemons is not healthy, but the result will depend on the amount consumed. Drinking a large quantity can cause respiratory problems, stomach pain, or allergies.

Also, Refer

Interesting Facts On Lemons

The interesting facts about the citrus fruit are given here:

  • Lemons are native to Asia.
  • These are rich in vitamin C.
  • Lemons are a hybrid between a sour orange and a citron.
  • Lemon trees produce fruit all year around.
  • Lemon trees can produce up to 60olbs of lemons every year.
  • Lemon tree leaves can be used to make tea.
  • California and Arizona produce most of the United States lemon crop.
  • The most common types of lemons are the Meyer, Eureka, and Lisbon lemons.

FAQs on Does Lemons Go Bad

1. Can refrigerated lemons go bad?

Yes, refrigerated lemons also go bad. The whole lemons retain their quality for 6 weeks in the fridge.

2. How long does lemons last in the fridge?

Lemons last up to 2 months in the fridge. Cut lemon pieces will last for 2 to 4 days. And lemon juice will last for 12 to 18 months in the refrigerator.

3. Are soft lemons bad?

Yes, soft lemons are bad. If there is no mold on the lemon and it smells fresh and citrusy, then you can use it.

4. What happens if you eat a bad lemon?

Eating small quantities of spoiled lemon can’t affect your health. But taking large quantities will make you sick i.e stomach pain, allergies.

Key Takeaways

Hoping that the data shared here about Can Lemons Go Bad are useful for you. Along with this, you can also gather related information such as lemons storage tips, spoilage signs, and lemons shelf life. Stay tuned to our site to know useful information about other fruits and food items.

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