Lemons bring a sharp, fresh taste that wakes up a dish. The juice adds tang and the zest adds fragrant oil. They star in lemon bars, loaves and curd, and they lift roast chicken, fish and salad dressings.

Most fruit here is the main sweet part of a dish. Lemons are more of a flavor booster, used in small amounts. They pair well with berries, apples and peaches to brighten them up.

Questions folks ask

How much juice is in one lemon?

A medium lemon often gives about two to three tablespoons of juice. It varies by lemon.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

You can, but fresh juice tastes brighter. Bottled works fine in cooked dishes.

How do I store lemons?

Keep them in the fridge in a bag. They stay fresh longer there than on the counter.

Kitchen tips

Roll a lemon on the counter before juicing to get more juice.
Zest before you juice. It is much easier.
Use only the yellow part of the peel. The white is bitter.
Freeze extra juice in ice cube trays.