Tired of getting a paltry amount of juice from your lemons?
Fear not, for a TikTok culinary expert revealed a simple method that will guarantee you get more value for money from your citrus fruits. Whether your squeezing your lemons by hand or using a juicer, be sure to follow the advice that will only add 20 seconds to your food preparation time.
In a video shared online, user EmpireIQ (@zoyawrite804) shared a series of hacks that will “save time and waste”, beginning with juicing. “Microwave your lemons for 20 seconds before juicing,” they said. “This simple trick doubles the amount of juice you’ll get.”
And explaining the science behind the technique, EmpireIQ continued: “The heat breaks down the cell walls making the lemon softer and easier to squeeze. It’s perfect for recipes, cocktails or a zesty lemonade.”
Not only that, the trick works on other fruits too. “This hack works for limes and oranges too,” EmpireIQ added. “Save money and get more juice with less effort. Your citrus fruits will never go to waste again.”
Next, EmpireIQ detailed how to make the most of your herbs – by freezing them. “Fresh herbs like basil, rosemary or thyme tend to wilt quickly in the fridge. Instead of letting them go to waste, chop them finely, place them in an ice cube tray and cover them with olive oil.
“Once frozen, pop out the herb-infused cubes and store them in a freezer bag. These are perfect for tossing into soups, sauces or sautésfor instant flavour without having to prep fresh produces each time.”
Empire IQ’s third trick involves garlic. To peel cloves faster, he advises placing them in a small jar with a lid and “shaking vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds”. He explains: “The friction will help loosen the skins making it easier to separate the peel from the clove.”
Closing the video, EmpireIQ recommends using a spoon rather than a knife to peel ginger, owing to the spice’s “tricky, bumpy surface”.
He adds: “The spoon can get into small crevices without cutting too deeply – helping you to preserve more of the root for cooking and juicing.”
And when it comes using butter for baking, be sure to grate it if you forget to remove from the fridge early enough to warm slightly. EmpireIQ says: “The small shreds soften much faster than a whole stick of butter making it easier to mix into doughs or batters.”
