Tips

How to extract the most juice from a lemon

Squeezing lemons may seem simple, but not everyone knows how to extract the maximum amount of juice without getting any seeds or bitterness.

Administrator

17 October, 2023

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I’m sure many people would say that squeezing lemons is easy, anyone can do it. But have you really optimized the way you do it?

The most effective way to squeeze lemons

You should choose small lemons that are heavy in your hands, with thin and juicy skin. When you lightly press your fingernail against the skin, you will see the juice splashing out. By applying the following tips, you can not only get a lot of lemon juice but also avoid the bitterness and seeds.

Cut the lemon lengthwise

Most people cut the lemon horizontally to squeeze the juice and consider this method to be effective. In fact, its efficiency is not very high because when you squeeze, the lemon seeds get pressed into the pulp, making it difficult to get all of the juice. The most effective way to squeeze lemons is to cut them lengthwise and cut them into several sections one by one around the lemon, leaving the core intact.

Next, you squeeze each cut lemon piece, and for the core, you twist it to get all of the juice.

To prevent the lemon juice from becoming bitter because of the essential oils in the skin, you should squeeze firmly once, without squeezing it repeatedly multiple times.

Cutting the lemon lengthwise into several sections, leaving the core intact, is the most effective way to squeeze lemons. (Photo: Food-hacks)

Roll the lemon evenly before cutting

Before cutting, you should roll the lemon for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on a flat surface like a cutting board or countertop to soften it. After that, you can cut the lemon to squeeze it. With this method, you will extract the maximum amount of juice from the fruit.

Put the lemon in the microwave oven

Lemons that have been stored in the refrigerator for a long time become hard and slightly dry, making it more difficult to extract the juice. You can put it in the microwave oven for about 30 seconds, then take it out and let it cool for about 1 minute before squeezing it. At this point, you will be able to extract more juice.

If you don’t have a microwave oven, you can soak the lemon in hot water for about 3 minutes, then cut it and squeeze the juice as usual.

The most effective way to squeeze lemons: Put the lemon in the microwave oven. (Photo: Shutterstock)

A way to squeeze lemons without cutting

Without a knife, you can still easily squeeze lemons using the simple method below.

Prepare a few bamboo toothpicks or sharp sticks.

Roll the lemon for about 30 seconds on a tabletop. Use the palm of your hand to press firmly while moving until the lemon becomes soft. This action breaks the tough membrane on the lemon and makes it easier to extract the juice.

Use a toothpick or sharp stick to pierce the stem of the lemon and create a small hole.

Remove the toothpick from the lemon, then squeeze the fruit firmly with your hand, and you will see the lemon juice flowing out from the stem.

With this method, you can easily extract the desired amount of lemon juice without any seeds, and you don’t need to cut the lemon in half.

Tips for choosing juicy lemons

To choose fresh and juicy lemons, you can smell them. If they have a light, characteristic aroma, they are fresh; if the skin has a dark, unpleasant smell, they may have been sprayed with pesticides and are not good for your health.

In addition, you can try pressing lightly on the lemon. A juicy lemon will feel firm in your hand, and when pressed, a little essential oil will splash out. The scent of lemon essential oil is pleasant, so avoid choosing lemons with a pungent smell.

Furthermore, you can also choose tasty lemons by observing the thickness of the skin. Juicy lemons are usually small, with thin skin that feels smooth to the touch, without any roughness.

You should choose lemons that are heavy in your hands, with a moderate size. Avoid choosing lemons that are too small because they are still immature and don’t contain much juice.

According to VTC news