Tips for Juicing Lemons, Limes and Oranges
If you’re like me when you purchase most fruit you bring it home and put it in the refrigerator. But then when you need to use the fruit juice in a recipe it’s next to impossible to get any juice out of it.
What to do?
To get the greatest yield of juice from your lemon, lime or orange, squeeze it when it’s at room temperature. If left in the refrigerator, place it in the microwave for about 15 seconds before squeezing. This way yields a greater amount of juice versus trying to juice it when it’s cold. Don’t over microwave and boil the juice, then of course it won’t be good at all.
It’s also a good idea to roll the fruit on the countertop pressing firmly between the palm of your hand and the countertop before squeezing. This will help to release the juice.
What do you do if you only need a small amount of juice and don’t want to waste the fruit?
Use a toothpick to puncture the skin and squeeze out the amount that’s needed. Then plug the hole back up with that same toothpick, place in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Fresh squeezed juice can be stored in the refrigerator for about one week. If you need to store it longer try placing the juice in ice cube trays and freezing it for later. Then only pop out the amount you need for next time.
Wondering how many lemons, limes or oranges that you’ll need for a recipe?
1 medium Lemon =
approximately 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice
approximately 1 tablespoon of lemon zest or peel
1 medium lime =
approximately 2 tablespoons of lime juice
approximately 1 teaspoon of lime zest or peel
1 medium orange =
approximately 1/3 – 1/2 cup orange juice
approximately 2 tablespoons of orange zest or peel
This is one of my favorite tools for juicing.
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
Thanks for the tips! Now I know how to juice them when they’re from the refrigerator! I always don’t get enough juice, thanks to you now I know the technique, haha! Thanks! Very helpful 🙂
If you don’t mind I would like to share this post to other Foodista readers, if you don’t mind just adding the foodista widget for juicer at the end of this post and it’s all set, thank you 🙂 More power to your blog
Hi Amy,
I’m happy that I was able to teach you a food tip. I have added the Foodista widget to the bottom of this blog. Thanks for your comments and for viewing my blog.
Hello! I saw your blog in Foodista.
I like the photo of the orange slices. so artistic.
thanks for the tips too. i learned a lot.
you can also put as much widget as you want to your old and new blogs so others can visit your blogs.
You are a great writer. it was very helpful tips about juice. thank you for sharing with us.