Should lemons be cut vertically or horizontally?

If you are someone who cooks every day and changes your menu, squeezing lemon is an operation that is done regularly almost every day. Although this is a simple job, the question “should lemon be cut lengthwise or horizontally” is still asked by many people in order to choose the way to squeeze the lemon to get the most juice and not mix the bitter taste of the peel.

Should lemons be cut vertically or horizontally?

There is much debate about whether lemons should be cut vertically or horizontally. Most people cut a lemon horizontally to squeeze the juice and consider this method to be optimal. However, in reality, most professional chefs choose to cut lemons lengthwise to avoid the core of the lemon and make squeezing the juice easier.

Both ways of adding lemon have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Cut lemons horizontally

• Advantages: Slicing lemons horizontally creates flat and uniform lemon slices, making it easier to use and decorate dishes or drinks. You can also easily and conveniently remove lemon seeds when cutting them horizontally.
• Cons: Slicing can make removing the core of the lemon difficult, especially when you want to squeeze the juice effectively. The core inside the lemon can reduce the amount of juice you squeeze out and create a bitter taste.

Slice lemons lengthwise

• Advantage: When slicing lengthwise, you can easily avoid the core of the lemon, which contains little juice and can create a bitter flavor when squeezed. This can make squeezing the lemon easier and yield more juice, adding flavor and freshness to the dish or drink.
• Disadvantage: When slicing vertically, it may be difficult to control the thickness of the lemon slices, resulting in them being uneven. Vertical lemon slices may not be as flat and beautiful as horizontal slices, reducing the aesthetics when decorating dishes or drinks.

When cutting a lemon lengthwise, you need to cut it into several parts around the core and leave this part intact. Next, you squeeze the cut lemon pieces one by one, using the core part to rotate to get all the juice.

If you want to squeeze the most juice out of a lemon, you should cut it lengthwise. To decorate beautifully, you should cut the lemon horizontally to get even, beautiful slices.

In short, whether a lemon should be cut vertically or horizontally depends on your personal preferences and skills. The most important thing is to make sure to remove all the seeds and core of the lemon, and squeeze the juice effectively to get the most out of its flavor and nutrients.

How to squeeze lemon to get the most juice

To squeeze a lot of juice from lemons, first you need to choose small fruits that are heavy in your hand, with thin and plump skins. Gently press your fingernail on the peel to see juice splash out. After buying lemons, wash them thoroughly and drain.

Applying the following tips, you will not only get a lot of lemon juice but also avoid bitter and sticky lemon juice.

Roll the lemon well before cutting

Before cutting, you should roll the lemon for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on a flat surface such as a cutting board, floor… to soften the lemon. After that, you cut the lemon to squeeze. This way, you will get the maximum amount of water in the fruit.

Put the lemon in the microwave

Lemons kept in the refrigerator for a long time will become hard and dry, making squeezing the juice more difficult. Put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then take it out, let it cool for about 1 minute and start squeezing. At this point, you will squeeze out a lot of water.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can soak the lemon in a bowl of hot water for about 3 minutes, then cut it and squeeze the juice as usual.

How to squeeze lemon without cutting

Without a knife, you can still easily squeeze lemons in the simple way below: Prepare a few bamboo toothpicks or sharp sticks, roll the lemon for about 30 seconds on the table. Use your palm to press firmly as you move until the lemon softens. This action breaks down the hard membrane on the lemon, making it easier to squeeze the juice.

Use a toothpick or sharp stick to poke the stem of the lemon to create a small hole. Pull the toothpick out of the lemon, then use your hand to squeeze the fruit’s stem firmly, you will see lemon juice oozing from the stem.

With this method, you can easily get the desired amount of lemon juice without the seeds sticking to it, and without having to cut the lemon in half.

Tips for choosing lemons with lots of juice

To choose fresh, delicious and succulent lemons, there are some simple methods you can apply:

– Check the aroma:  When you smell the lemon, if you feel a characteristic light aroma, that is a sign of a fresh lemon. On the contrary, if the lemon peel has a strong and unpleasant smell, it may have been sprayed or has lost its freshness, which is not good for your health.

– Gently press on the lemon:  A fresh lemon will feel firm when you gently press on it. If it’s a succulent lemon, when you press it lightly, a little essential oil will shoot out from the peel. Lemon essential oil has a pleasant aroma which is a sign of a delicious lemon. Avoid choosing fruit with skin that is too soft and does not contain essential oils.

– Observe the peel:  Fresh lemons usually have thin and small peels. When you touch them, you will feel the surface is smooth, not rough. A smooth skin is often a sign of a ripe and delicious lemon.

– Choose a fruit that is heavy and moderately sized:  Fresh lemons are often heavier due to their high water content. Choose fruits of moderate size, avoid fruits that are too small, usually young and have little juice.