Lemon is the flavor enhancer par excellence. Its acidity cooks the flesh of the fish, while its zest enhances teas, pastries and confits. Tangy, its juice rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants, is a very good tonic. A large glass of lemon water in the morning to start the day off right will improve your transit and limit cravings. However, once you have opened your lemon, you often leave the opening in the fridge for future uses. One of the best ways to ultimately not reuse it and throw it away. However, the lemon is reusable as desired.
Lemon: a fruit with natural, almost magical acidity
With its legendary citric acid content, this citrus fruit helps preserve other fruits and vegetables; not only enhances culinary preparations but also your skin and can go so far as to replace household products. Enough to lighten the wallet and do something for the planet by reducing the use of products that are toxic to the environment. So, no more wasting your lemons, learn how to extend their shelf life and reuse them.
Reuse your lemon in cooking
Before recycling your lemon, keep it a little longer
The lemon will keep for a week in ambient air and up to ten days in the refrigerator. To extend this time, place it in a cool bowl of water. If your lemon is cut, sprinkle its surface with fine salt to preserve its aromas and freshness. Almost immortal, the lemon also allows better preservation of fruits and vegetables.
Prevent food oxidation
Lemon, through the acidity and antioxidants it contains, prevents fruits and vegetables from oxidizing, and therefore blackening. Oxidation, which consists of the natural degradation of foods, causes the loss of their nutritional properties and the development of bacteria. Lemon, which is full of citric acids, is therefore a natural ally for their preservation. Squeeze a lemon on an avocado, an apple, pear or banana, and no more traces of oxidation, since the juice will act as a protective barrier and prevent the air from damaging your fruits and vegetables.
Frost leftover lemons
Is there a slice of lemon lying around in your fridge and you don’t know what to do with it? Place it in an ice cube tray, without water, and you will get frozen lemons. An essential freshness tip to tangify and refresh your lemonade, glass of water or cocktail.
Dry the lemon skin
Cut the skin of the citrus fruit into thin slices, place them in the sun on a sheet of baking paper for two to three days before baking them in the oven at 200° for 30 minutes. Once prepared, you can keep these dried lemon peels for up to three years and use them to flavor your dishes before, during or after cooking.
Macerate in olive oil
For lemony seasonings, immerse a few lemon peels in a bottle of olive, sesame or even almond oil. They will add a little something extra to these vegetable oils, ideal for seasoning your preparations.
Make candied lemons
Did you buy too many lemons? Make some
candied. With untreated lemons, water and salt, you will obtain the essential Moroccan preparation of candied lemon.
Reuse your lemon for maintenance and limit household products
Clean and restore shine to surfaces
Due to its powerful acidity, lemon is widely used in cleaning products. Indeed, lemon is the enemy of limescale and encrusted residue. Rub half a lemon on your faucets and stainless steel, copper or steel surfaces, before leaving to act and rinsing.
Disinfect cutting boards
Cutting boards, usually made of wood, can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria. Since wood is highly absorbent, it easily retains bacteria that become encrusted. A little coarse salt on your board, then rub half a lemon that you will no longer use while squeezing its juice. Leave on for ten minutes and rinse.
Deodorize
Goodbye to the cooking smells that permeate the kitchen, take out the lemons. In boiling water, immerse thin slices of half a lemon. Enough to naturally refresh your interior. You can also add a sprig of rosemary or lavender to the pan for better flavor. As for the other half of the lemon, leave it in your refrigerator or dishwasher. The smells will be instantly captured by the lemon.
Degrease
Heat a bowl of water with the juice of half a lemon in the microwave; the steam released will remove greasy residue from your appliances. All you have to do is wipe with a damp sponge, and your oven will be like new.
Create an ant repellent
With the nice weather, do the ants come back into your interiors? Don’t panic, don’t go buying repellents or other chemical products. Save money for you and the planet by squeezing a little lemon juice on the entry points of these little insects. Those who don’t like the acidity and the smell of this fruit will no longer come to your home.
Reuse your lemon for better health, with these tips from grandmothers
Lemon for sore throats
Often prescribed in the treatment of respiratory conditions, lemon is a perfect antiseptic. A flu, cold or sore throat? Before using medication, try this old grandmother’s trick: prepare a lemon infusion, add honey or a little sugar, and the antiseptic properties of this citrus fruit will cure your discomfort.
Lemon in a glass of water for an energy boost
In the morning, on an empty stomach, start your body with a large glass of water, lukewarm or fresh, with lemon. Enough to detoxify thanks to its acidity and boost your immune system with its vitamin C. A good way also to optimize satiety and avoid cravings in the morning.
Lemon as skin care
Exfoliating, lemon helps fight blackheads, pimples and acne. Soak a cotton swab in lemon juice, apply it to the affected areas of the face and leave for around twenty minutes before rinsing with clean water.
Lemon to restore whiteness to your teeth
By brushing your teeth with its juice or rubbing the flesh of the lemon against them, they will regain their whiteness. However, the abrasive side of lemon, through the citric acid it contains, can cause damage to the enamel and gums of your teeth. Anti-yellowing tip should not be done more than once a week.
