Squeeze Fresh Lemon Juice (Printable version)
Quick method to extract fresh lemon juice perfect for dressings and drinks.
# What You'll Need:
→ Produce
01 - 1 fresh lemon
# Directions:
01 - Wash the lemon thoroughly under running water.
02 - Roll the lemon on a countertop using your palm with gentle pressure to loosen the juice.
03 - Cut the lemon crosswise into two halves.
04 - Hold one half over a bowl or glass, cut side up to catch seeds, and squeeze firmly by hand or with a citrus juicer.
05 - Squeeze the other half in the same manner to extract remaining juice.
06 - Strain the collected juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds if desired.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- You'll taste the difference between bottled and fresh lemon juice the moment it hits your drink or dressing.
- Once you get the rolling technique, you'll squeeze more juice out of each lemon than you thought possible.
- It takes about the time it takes to read this sentence, yet it elevates everything you make with it.
02 -
- A lemon that's been microwaved for 10 to 15 seconds before rolling will give you noticeably more juice—the heat softens the cell walls just enough to make a real difference.
- Room temperature lemons yield more juice than cold ones straight from the refrigerator, so leave yours out for a few minutes if you have the time.
03 -
- A good citrus juicer (the mechanical kind with two handles) takes effort out of hand squeezing and gives you about 20 percent more juice with less mess.
- If you forget to roll your lemon and only realize it after cutting, poke a fork into the flesh and twist gently—it aerates the juice chambers and helps recovery.