Do you know how to tell if a lemon is bad? In this guide, I will give you an in-depth look at signs that show spoilage and how to choose the freshest lemons. This way, you can ensure you always use the best, tastiest, and juiciest lemons possible.
And, if you are looking for some lemon recipes to try, my Brazilian Lemonade is a must-try! And, for a tasty bite, you can try this Lemon Fennel Salad or my Air-Fried Lemony Falafel. They are easy to make and perfect for spring or even a hot summer’s day!
Can You Eat Bad Lemons?
This is a question I get a lot. And I completely understand! Nobody wants to throw away food that has gone bad. But yet, there are too many risks involved with eating off food.
With lemons specifically, there is some wiggle room. The answer to whether or not you can eat bad lemons depends on how bad they are. Now, in order to decide if they are still edible, you need to know how to tell if a lemon is bad.
If a lemon only starts showing white mold on the outside peel (skin), it is still edible. The mold can simply be wiped off, and the lemon can be squeezed. In this case, I wouldn’t recommend using or eating the peel (zest). But the juice should still be perfectly fine.
However, if the lemon shows severe signs of mold (or multiple signs of spoilage), you should rather chuck it instead. The risks involved with eating very moldy and spoiled lemons are simply too high.
If you are ever unsure about their safety, it is always best to toss them out instead.
How To Tell If A Lemon Is Bad
Okay, let’s get to the good part: how do you know when a lemon is bad?
Lemons (and citrus fruits in general) can be pretty tricky to diagnose. That’s why it is good to first know that generally, fresh whole lemons only last about 1-2 weeks in the pantry. If you leave them on a counter, their shelf life shortens to roughly one week only. And, if you keep them inside the fridge, they can last between 3-4 weeks.
Cut lemons should always be stored inside the fridge and will only last 3-4 days. They won’t necessarily grow mold, but they will have dried out significantly after this time, rendering them pretty useless.
Signs Of Mold
This is probably the first sign you will come across. Mold growth is a definite sign that your ingredient is starting to go off or had already peaked way past its prime.
But as I’ve briefly mentioned earlier, there are different degrees of mold that may just allow you to still use the lemon.
Citrus fruit has a very thick skin which protects the inside from external bacteria that cause spoilage. So, if the mold on the skin only starts showing up, you can wipe it off.
But, if there is a lot of mold, especially around the stem area, it is better to toss the lemon. And, if there is mold with another sign of spoilage (like soft, mushy textures), you definitely have to toss the lemon.
Soft Textures
As you may know, when ingredients age, their texture (structure) becomes weaker and weaker, eventually leading to rot.
But “rot” doesn’t necessarily look like the black, mushy, sludgy substance you see in the movies. In the beginning stages of rot, an ingredient first becomes soft as it loses its texture. Even at this point, the lemon is no longer fine to use.
So, if your lemons or citrus becomes soft or you completely press through the thick skin, the lemon is bad.
Bruised Or Discolored
Another way how to tell if a lemon is bad is to look at its color. This may not be the first or second sign that shows up, but still be on the lookout for it.
Fresh lemons should have a bright yellow color without any bruises or discoloration.
So, if you see pale areas or brown-black spots, the lemon is going off and should rather be tossed.
Fruit Flies
People laugh when I say this, but fruit flies are a dead giveaway that some fruit in your home is going off or has already gone off.
But you will only see these when you store lemons on the counter or inside the pantry. Don’t ignore them and don’t take them lightly. If they grow out of control, they can be very difficult to get rid of.
So, it’s best to immediately locate the source that is causing their presence. And get rid of it asap!
Funny Smell
Now, believe it or not, lemons actually don’t smell when they go bad. So, it is very rare that you will pick up on any strange aromas before the other signs show themselves.
But, just to be safe I’ll say it: if your lemons smell funny, throw them out.
FAQs – How To Tell If A Lemon Is Bad
How do you choose the freshest lemons?
Fresh lemons are uniformly bright yellow in color without any bruises and blemishes. They feel heavy for their size, which indicates that they are nice and juicy. They should also be firm in texture but not rock-hard. And finally, the best lemons are smooth and don’t have wrinkly edges.
What do old lemons look like?
Old lemons aren’t necessarily spoiled lemons. They can still be used as long as they don’t show any signs of spoilage. Old lemons are usually quite hard (because they’ve dried) and have wrinkly skin. They also tend to turn brownish in color.
Can bacteria grow in lemons?
Many people think the acidity of lemons kills bacteria. This is not true. There are actually about 25 kinds of bacteria (some even deadly) that can grow in and on lemons. And remember, even if they grow on the outside, that doesn’t mean they cannot contaminate the inside and get on your food.
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