Lemons: Why Soak Them in Salt — The Old Trick of Grandmothers

Lemons: This is why citrus fruits should be soaked in a saline solution. It’s a trick from our grandmothers.

Concentrated in vitamin C and antioxidants beneficial for the human body, the lemon is a citrus fruit to keep in your food reserves. It’s the perfect ingredient to prepare an excellent juice or to flavor drinks or dishes. Even if you can buy lemon juice, it’s always better to prepare it with natural and perfectly preserved citrus fruits.

Once collected or bought at the market stall or supermarket, lemons must be perfectly preserved to avoid mold formation. Storing lemons in the refrigerator may not be the best solution because the refrigerator temperature could dehydrate the lemons and “dry out” the citrus peel. What is the best way to preserve lemons when you have them in abundance? Let’s find out.

Lemons: Why Does Mold Form?

Mold often forms on lemons. The origin of mold formation depends on climatic conditions, but also on the harvesting and distribution phases of the citrus fruits. If lemons are damaged during the transportation process, the citrus fruits themselves are exposed to mold formation.

Even the acidic pH itself makes lemons more sensitive to fungal spores, which proliferate more in environments characterized by acidity. Green mold attacks lemons the most, but it does not make them absolutely toxic or harmful to touch or smell. How to preserve lemons so as to avoid the formation of blue or green mold? Let’s find out.

Lemons: Here’s How to Preserve Them and Avoid Spore Attack

Lemons are citrus fruits that can be naturally preserved at home, without fungi attacking them and forming mold. There is a method to follow that allows lemons to be preserved in a completely natural way.

When buying a supply of lemons, simply cut the citrus fruits into slices and put them in a container filled with water and salt. Once the container is closed, it is good to shake it and proceed with the preservation of these citrus fruits for months and months.

Another valid trick and natural remedy for preserving lemon broths and avoiding the formation of mold is to wash them and soak them with baking soda and water to eliminate bacteria and counter the formation of mold. It is good to dry them well to avoid moisture contributing to mold formation. Once clean and dry, it is advisable to put the lemons in an aseptic container, possibly hermetically sealed, so as to prevent fungi from coming into contact with the skin and green or blue mold from forming.

Another good remedy is to store lemons in a paper bag at room temperature or in the refrigerator.