Though ‘How to cut a lemon in half?’ might seem obvious if you have a basic understanding of fractions, there’s a lot to getting the most out of this yellow citrus fruit.
Lemons are used primarily for their juice, which is acidic and sour-tasting. From the perfect cake flavoring to something that brings a fish dish to life, lemon juice is considered by many to be a kitchen staple.
Lemon juice can also be used for drinks, adding flavor or acting as the main ingredient in beverages like lemonade. Meanwhile, a slice of lemon makes a beautiful addition to any mocktail or cocktail. In short, a little lemon does a lot.
Cutting a lemon in half correctly can maximize your kitchen success. You’ll get more juice, or have neater slices to use for decorative purposes.
Lemons can be cut in several ways.
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Cutting a lemon in half correctly can maximize your kitchen success. You’ll get more juice, or have neater slices to use for decorative purposes.Lemon Q&A:
How do you cut a lemon?
There are several different ways to cut a lemon. Cutting it in half is one of the easiest, but might not be right for whatever you have planned for the fruit.
Some people like to slice a lemon, without first removing the rind. You can do this along the long side of the lemon, or lie it down and cut slices from one end to another. The latter option provides almost perfect circles, fantastic as a garnish for a cocktail.
Another option is to cut a lemon into thirds, instead of two halves. This provides a better surface area for juicing and accessing the flesh.
If you’d like to make lemon wedges, stand the lemon so it’s at its tallest and then cut it into quarters from the top. Lemon wedges can be used as decoration for drinks and a variety of meals. After cutting the lemon into four separate wedges, you might decide to cut each in half again so you’re getting eight wedges from each lemon.
How to cut a lemon in half
It is important not just to go straight in with the knife. When considering how to cut a lemon in half, it’s best to start before you even pick the knife up at all.
Start by firmly rolling the lemon on a hard surface, like a table. This shouldn’t be done so that your lemon splits open, but firmly enough to make the lemon softer so it’s easier to juice in the next stage. You can’t do this once the lemon has been cut, because this process relies on the lemon rind to protect its interior parts.
As you press the lemon and roll it around, you’ll feel it becoming slightly softer. Once you’re happy with this stage of the process, it’s time to cut the lemon in half.
Most people imagine that a lemon should be cut horizontally. This means that you’d cut it at the widest section and would have a full end on each half. In fact, it’s better to cut the lemon from one tip to another. Cutting lengthwise will give better access to the fruit, with a wider surface area to work with.
It’s better to cut the lemon from one tip to another. Cutting lengthwise will give better access to the fruit, with a wider surface area to work with.
Tools for Cutting Lemons:
You can buy the PAUDIN 3.5 Inch Kitchen Knife on Amazon
Zulay Premium Quality Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer will help you get all the juice out of a cut lemon.
HIC Citrus Juicer Reamer with Handle and Pour Spout will also help you get all the juice out, making it easy to pour too!
What is the best way to get juice out of a lemon?
Getting juice out of a lemon is a fine balancing act. You want to maximize your access to the lemon flesh, but without cutting the lemon so many times that it’s too soft and the juice just runs out of it.
Cutting the lemon in half from end to end is often the best method to use. Two vertical halves have a large surface area, giving you more space to work. Cutting a medium-sized lemon lengthwise in two halves can give you more than an ounce of juice, but there is a way to increase this by as much as 50%.
Once you’ve cut the lemon, stab a fork into the lemon flesh. Then, twist the fork gently to soften and tear apart the lemon membranes. This step could result in a far greater juice yield than just squeezing the lemon.
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How do you juice a lemon without a juicer?
Once you’ve cut your lemon, you can get more juice from it with simple tools you have around the house. You can then squeeze each half of the lemon, using a juicer or your hands.
The juicer isn’t an essential part of this process, so if you only have your hands you can squeeze the lemon over a glass or a bowl. Using the fork before you start squeezing will ensure that this does not take too long.
Without a tool, you can juice a lemon with your hand or a fork.
What can I use to squeeze lemons?
Your own hands might be the most effective lemon juicing tool you’ve got. If you would like something more professional, there are many different juicers and squeezers available to choose from.
One of the most well-known lemon juicers looks a little like a dish with a mountain in the middle. To use this type, it’s usually best to cut your lemon in half horizontally. Then, put half a lemon on the juicer’s point and press it down whilst twisting side-to-side. All the juice will collect underneath in the dish, or a sealed compartment.
Another option is to use a lemon squeezer. This handheld option allows you to squeeze a lemon without getting your hands messy. Simply put the lemon into the squeezer, then press the two handles together. The lemon is squeezed between the squeezer’s two halves, and the juice escapes through gaps and drainage holes. Make sure you have a bowl underneath to collect the juice from your lemon.
How do you make a lemon easier to squeeze?
Making a lemon easier to squeeze is all about loosening its membranes. By rolling your lemon around at the start, you’re helping to break them apart. If you use a fork to tear the lemon flesh apart, you’ll get juice with minimal effort.
By rolling your lemon around at the start, you’re helping to break them apart. If you use a fork to tear the lemon flesh apart, you’ll get juice with minimal effort.Juicing a lemon shouldn’t be painful, and it should feel worthwhile at the end. The way you cut and juice a lemon could be the difference between an ounce or an ounce and a half (for the average lemon). That’s why it’s so important to know how to cut a lemon in half.
Let me know what you think the best way is to cut and juice a lemon.
