Storing lemons in the fridge may seem like a good idea at first glance. However, only in exceptional cases are they well preserved there. We explain why this is the case and how you can store lemons better.

While vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli keep well in the refrigerator crisper, lemons should not be stored in the fridge. They belong to the citrus group and ripen at temperatures of around 30 degrees.

Shopping tip: Conventional lemons are often grown with chemical and synthetic pesticides, so opt for organic produce.

Even if lemons spoil more quickly at higher temperatures, you still shouldn’t store them in the fridge. And there are good reasons for this.

Why whole lemons shouldn’t go in the fridge

Storing whole lemons in the fridge can certainly keep yellow citrus fresh for three to four weeks. However, by then you won’t really have much fun with them: due to low temperatures, lemons lose their aroma when stored in the fridge. If you use them for baking, cooking or ginger-lemon water, the taste experience will be significantly reduced. Whole lemons have no place in the fridge.

Can opened lemons be refrigerated?

The same is not true of opened lemons. You can store them in the refrigerator for one to two days. Note the following:

  • Place the lemon with the cut side down on a small plate so that it doesn’t dry out.
  • Ideally, place the fruit in the top compartment of the fridge, where the temperature is lower.
  • Of course, this will also affect the aroma, but it’s the lesser evil, as outside the fridge, the opened lemon would spoil far too quickly.

Top tips for storage

If you store lemons in the fridge, it’s to the detriment of taste. Fortunately, there are other ways to store lemons:

  • Store lemons in the dark in a cool room. A cellar or windowless storeroom is ideal. Make sure the lemons are not too close together. This prevents the formation of mold. If you also place newspaper under the citrus fruit, it will absorb moisture and also prevent the formation of mold.
  • In addition to whole lemons, you can also store only the lemon juice. This is done either by storing it in a container in the fridge, or by freezing it.
  • Of course, you can also use the lemon to descale the kettle or wash clothes, for example.