Frozen oranges and lemons keep them fresh, retaining convenient citrus drinks and recipes - ultimately saving money. Citrus fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C, folic acid and antioxidants to protect your cells from damage. Learn how to properly freeze oranges and lemons to maintain their quality and make them easy to use. According to the Clemson Cooperative Promotion Program, citrus fruits can only be kept in the refrigerator for two weeks, so it makes sense to freeze the fruits that you won't use right away.
Cut lemon on a wooden table. (Photo: HandmadePictures / iStock / Getty Images) Prepare oranges and lemons
Like all foods, wash your hands and use a clean container and food to prepare the surface. Cut off any areas where the fruit skin is broken. These areas may contain microorganisms that cause foodborne illness. Wash the entire unpeeled oranges and lemons with water. Do not use soap or detergent because the fruit can absorb it. If you want to freeze some citrus for juice, place the peel on top and cut the fruit in half so that they can be squeezed. Peel the orange you want to eat, cut it in half or divide it into segments.
Wet Bag
A popular orange freezing method involves filling a wide-mouth quart can of canned slices with oranges and covering them with a heavy syrup made of 40% sugar. The same method applies to lemons. It is said that sugar is not required for frozen citrus, but it helps to maintain the color and texture of the fruit at the University of California at Davis. To reduce the added sugar, you can use some of your own fruit juice or water to pack oranges or lemons to freeze. Leave 1 1/2 inches of head space - gap between fruit and lid - leave room for citrus fruits and liquids to freeze. Place a piece of wax paper on top of each jar to keep the citrus in the liquid.
Dry packaging
Freezing citrus fruits without adding liquid is called dry packaging. Fill the wide-mouth can, frozen or frozen container with orange or lemon, or cut as needed. If you pack them in cans or freezers, leave at least 1 inch of head space. You can pack citrus tightly. Cut the lemon into two halves, cut the orange into two halves or quarters, depending on how you use them.
Citrus Freeze Notes
Use only cans or freezers because the glass is tempered to withstand temperature changes. Other cans will rupture when frozen. According to a study by the University of California at Davis, navel oranges become frozen due to high levels of freezing. Other orange types of limonen are less. According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Promotion Program, oranges and lemons will be kept in the refrigerator for 4-6 months at minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Raw juices, including orange juice, can carry foodborne illnesses. According to data from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agriculture, people who are susceptible to such diseases should avoid using unpasteurized juice ltural Sciences.
