Lemons are delicious citrus fruits which many people enjoy the world over. Their juice is used for a variety of things from being squeezed over meals to being used in fresh juice or smoothies. The limits are endless with lemon juice, and we have grown to love it so much.
When it comes to any given recipe, lemon juice might be one of the key ingredients, and sometimes it is useful to know exactly how much lemon juice you require before you buy your precious lemons.
Lemons come in a variety of different sizes, and this often makes it difficult to know how many to buy if you are squeezing the juice manually.
In this article we look at how much juice do you get from one lemon. We also look at their health benefits as well as some alternatives to natural lemon juice which are also available on the market.
Lemon Juice
The amount of juice you are going to get from a lemon depends on the actual size of the lemon. If it is smaller, then the less juice you will receive. If it is of the bigger sized variety then you will receive more. If you haven’t researched lemons, there are actually a few different varieties. These different varieties have many characteristics between them, which are quite different to the varieties of mandarins and oranges for example. The most common varieties of lemon are Verna and Fino. They are mostly distributed in Spain with the rest being the Eureka, Villafranca and Lisbon varieties.
The ones you will find where you live depend if they are grown there locally, or whether they are imported from elsewhere.
Generally, based on an average sized lemon, you are likely to get 3 tablespoons of juice out of one lemon as well as one tablespoon of zest. If you buy a pound of lemons which usually includes around 4 to 5 lemons, then you will be able to retrieve 8 to 10 tablespoons altogether.
If you do not have lemons at the time, and instead have a bottle of pre-made lemon juice, then you know what to do if the recipe requires the juice of a lemon – simply add two tablespoons of lemon juice and you are good to go.
If you want to have a supply of fresh lemon juice each time you require it, then it is recommended to purchase a manual citrus juicer. By using one of these you can squeeze as many lemons as you like, and store all of the juice for when you need it. Doing so in advance allows you to save time buying lemons when you can use the juice from previous ones. Freezing it will keep it in good condition and lemon juice can be stored for months at a time in the freezer.
Lemon Juice Alternatives
As mentioned briefly above, if you do not have fresh lemons then you may also use an alternative bottled lemon juice which can be bought from any supermarket. This saves you from having to squeeze the lemons for their juice as it has already been pre-done by the producers.
In some cases, it may be that you are allergic to lemons. In this case you will need a completely different alternative altogether. Not to worry as they do exist! One recipe from Spruce Eats has made a fantastic alternative which is composed of orange juice, lime juice, lemon extract or white wine. This mixed together can give a similar taste to original lemon juice which can be a perfect substitute.
You can find this recipe here:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/lemon-juice-substitute-4160686
Of course, natural is always best; however, if you simply cannot eat lemons due to being allergic, then there are alternatives out there.
Benefits of natural Lemon Juice
Sometimes we forget just how special lemons truly are, and how beneficial they are for our health. Below we take a look at some of their best health benefits.
Vitamin C
Lemons are well-known for their Vitamin C concentration. This is an essential vitamin which helps our immune system to stay healthy and stronger. An important thing to note about this vitamin is that it helps to neutralize free radicals which are said to cause cancer. It is probably a good idea to top up on your lemons, especially through winter when vitamin C levels suffer.
Detoxifying Properties
Lemons work to dissolve toxins in your body. They stimulate the liver and dissolve uric acid. This means that they clean your bowels by increasing peristalsis and initiating better bowel movement in general. They are perfect for those who suffer from constipation.
Antibacterial Properties
Studies have shown that the antibacterial properties of lemons are fantastic. Lemon juice alone can kill bacterias which cause life threatening diseases. This includes diseases like malaria, cholera and diphtheria.
Citric Acid
The citric acid is a natural kidney stone dissolver. It also helps to disperse calcium deposits at the same time.
Hair & Skin Friendly
Lemon has also proven to be useful when it comes to skin and haircare. Adding a couple of drops of lemon to the scalp will help to reduce dandruff. It will also help to keep hair shiny and smooth. For skin, it has been said to be a natural antiseptic which can help keep skin spotless and more youthful. It is also said to be a good treatment for eczema, sunburn and various insect bites.
Weight Loss
A famous fact for lemon juice is that it aids in natural weight loss. Many people recommend drinking a glass of lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and a drop of honey, as this helps to speed up metabolism and help burn fat cells quicker.
To Conclude
Lemons are clearly very healthy and good for your body. They are able to accompany many different recipes and treats and can do a world of good for our beauty as well as health. If you enjoy eating healthy, then don’t forget to include lemons regularly into your diet. Your body will certainly thank you for it!