skip to main content

lemon juice - does freezing affect tartness?

14 years ago

I bought a bunch of lemons to use as a centerpiece several months ago. When the party was over, I juiced the lemons, and froze the juice in pre-measured amounts. I just got some out to make lemon squares. They are not very lemony. The recipe calls for 4 to 5 Tblsps. I went with 5+.

Did I just have a batch of not-very-tart lemons, or did freezing change their tartness?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

beachlily z9a
14 years ago
I have squeezed and frozen many of my Myers lemon and haven't found much loss of tartness. I thaw out a small batch to use for whatever and the lemon flavor is still there. Maybe not full strength but plenty strong. And Myers lemons aren't the strongest guys on the block.
lindac
14 years ago
Freezing may affect the flavor but not acidity.....
Related Discussions
No lemon juice in apple juice? - 2nd post
Q
Comments (5)
This previous discussion linked below on the Ball recommendation explains why it is in that particular book (Canadian publication) and why it is not required by any other source. As the book says: Lemon juice is added to help preserve the apples natural color and to assure the acidity of the finished product since different varieties and harvesting conditions can produce apples of lower acidity. If it is not just a cover their a** inclusion and a color preservative additive as I suspect then only Ball can explain why they included it when no other approved source does. The link below also includes some info from Dr. Andress from NCHFP. As to why not in the apple juice? I would assume it is the very different density aspect. Juice is easily heat processed safely while sauce, given its density (many make it way too thick), MAY be considered "safer" with the lemon added. Windfall apples being the exception since it is required by all when using windfalls. Bottom line - its your choice. Since I never use windfalls and I don't make really thick sauce I never add lemon to either. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Acid for applesauce?
...See More
RECIPE: Lemon Tarts for nana grandma!
Q
Comments (6)
I just tried to get it all out before the computer froze up!! I often tend to dump most ingredients together,do beat eggs 1st if says beaten eggs. People are always wanting to "buy" stuff I make or wanting me to go into business. Then it wouldn't be fun.I made lots of wedding & shower cakes for just the cost of ingredients as I had 2 kids & didn't work. I love giving it away & my neighbors tell me I "make" their Christmas. That's all I need to hear!! This computer won't let me make receipes in receipe form for some reason & can't make paragraphs, so everything is run together. I usually print off receipe from here & try & then if I like it I write it up & put in my receipe box & where I got it fromand yr. I find my tastes have changed some over the yrs & I have to cook more low sodium as parents BP spikes if they eat salty foods. Thanks for the birthday greeting! Some day to be born-tax day!!! Jan
...See More
RECIPE: Lemon Tart - Delicious
Q
Comments (4)
Sue, I could almost look forward to going back to work if I could work in your office! You spoil those people rotten:)
...See More
When do you use bottled lemon juice?
Q
Comments (29)
I seldom buy fresh lemons. Don't use a lot of lemon/lime juice but when I do it's usually bottled and I don't think I've ever used up a bottle either - it winds up getting tossed. The taste doesn't bother me in the least. It goes in stuff usually so it's far from being the predominant flavor with some exceptions. Reminds me of when some people were talking about how you MUST buy this hotsie-totsie chili powder. It tastes SOOOOOOO much better. Not one took me up on the challenge to make a batch of chili, split it in half, put the hotsie-totsie in one and el-cheapo in one and have someone mix them up and see if you can *honestly* taste the difference. Now fresh lemon juice probably will be noticible if you're making lemonade or something. I put a lot of lemon in it. But in a sauce or something, I doubt quite highly that many, if any could tell which was the "nasty" and which was the "fresh". Especially considering there's probably a big difference in taste between lemons picked off a tree and those bought in a store and sitting on the shelf in the coolers for however long.
...See More
annie1992
14 years ago
My guess is that you got some less-than-flavorful lemons. Although I don't have the lemons that Beachlily has, I do get lemons on sale and I freeze them whole for lemonade later or I juice them and freeze the juice.

I don't notice a big difference in the flavor of the juice after it's frozen but I do notice a big difference between the commercially bottled stuff and fresh/frozen lemon juice. The bottled stuff is sour and acidic, while the fresh stuff is tart and, well, fresh tasting.

I do love lemon, so I usually use more juice than called for and toss in some zest for extra insurance!

Annie
sushipup1
14 years ago
Annie, try the frozen MinuteMaid juice (not lemonade, just plain juice). The bottled juice is indeed nasty, but the MinuteMaid is just like juice you'd freeze yourself.
bbstx
Original Author
14 years ago
I took the lemon squares as my part of dinner during a concert in the park. They were eaten up and no one complained of their not being tart enough.

I, too, have used the Minute Maid frozen lemon juice. I does taste fresh. In fact, a week or so ago, I had part of a bottle that needed using up, so I made lemonade. Oh! that was so good.

As my aunt used to say, you could not run fast enough to give me a bottle of shelf-stable stuff. I prefer juicing fresh lemons, but in a pinch (or when they are too pricey), I'll use the Minute Maid frozen juice.
eandhl
14 years ago
How long does the frozen MM lemon juice keep after thawing?
rob333 (zone 7b)
14 years ago
Personally, I have found lemons have not been very tart this year. Hm.
sushipup1
14 years ago
"How long does the frozen MM lemon juice keep after thawing?"

The package says 8 weeks.
eandhl
14 years ago
Thanks sushipup, seems worth having if it is really good. I have on more than one occasions realize I don't have a lemon.
sushipup1
14 years ago
I use it a lot, unless I get lemons cheap. I hate to make my Caesar dressing that calls for "juice of one lemon" and the only lemon I have is a lemon of a lemon and yields only about a teaspoon of juice. No, the frozen Minute Maid is my go-to for every day use, unless I can use a bunch of lemons.

Here is a link that might be useful: lemon juice

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

DECORATING GUIDES Ditch the Rules but Keep Some Tools

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Be fearless, but follow some basic decorating strategies to achieve the best results

FEEL-GOOD HOME 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home

Whether it's herbs rotting in the fridge or clothes that never get worn, most of us waste too much. Here are ways to make a change

EDIBLE GARDENS Great Design Plant: Roselle Tantalizes With Beauty and Flavor

By Steve Asbell

Call it a fruit or a flower or a sweet vegetable. This hibiscus is so lovely, all that matters is calling it forth in your garden

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Persimmons

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sturdy and easy to care for, these trees offer bright fruit through winter — and keeping them in bounds is no sweat

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Considering a New Kitchen Gadget? Read This First

By Mitchell Parker

Save money, time and space by learning to separate the helpers from the hassles

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 7 Low-Maintenance Countertops for Your Dream Kitchen

By Christine Tusher

Fingerprints, stains, resealing requirements ... who needs ’em? These countertop materials look great with little effort

Sponsored

More Discussions

I made a cassoulet!

16

No-Bake Summer Desserts?

20

Thinking of Petalique--What's your top 5 quick take-out?

12

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Anyone?

11

Salt, just a little pinch

24