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Pink Lemons Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to pink lemons
About pink lemons
The pink lemon is a spontaneous mutation first found on a Eureka lemon tree in California in the 1930s. Pink lemons are also known as "zebra lemons" due to their unique striped rind. The pink lemon's outer rind is pale yellow with green stripes. The green striping fades as the lemon matures. The inner flesh is light pink with few or no seeds. Pink lemon juice is tart with light floral flavors.
In the United States, pink lemons are grown in Florida, Arizona, and California. Although you may find them in the supermarket year-round, the peak season for pink lemons is from May through September.
How to pick out pink lemons
When choosing a pink lemon, look for a brightly colored, glossy rind free of deep cuts and dark spots. As the distinctive striping on pink lemons fades as they ripen, look for light striping rather than heavy, green stripes. Pink lemons should smell fresh and slightly floral. The fruit should feel firm without being hard. Pink lemons that are heavy for their size are juicy and ripe. Avoid pink lemons with leathery rinds, dry patches, large bruises, or moldy spots.
How to prepare and cook pink lemons
Pink lemons pair well with chicken, fish, other citrus fruits, raspberries, strawberries, and nuts. Pink lemon juice and zest is a bright, fresh addition to a wide array of dishes. Here are some ways to cook with them:
- Mix juice with water and sugar to whip up lemonade
- Use juice and zest to make lemon bars, meringue pie, and pound cake
- Combine juice and zest with sugar to make sweet glazes
- Make lemon jam, jelly, marmalade, and curd
- Freeze into popsicles, sorbet, and sherbet
- Create classic cocktails, salad dressings, marinades, and sauces
- Squeeze lemon wedges or sprinkle zest over chicken, fish, rice, and pasta dishes
- Cut into wheels, wedges, and twists and add to mixed drinks or teas
As pink lemons mature, their juice becomes less acidic and sweeter, so keep them at room temperature until ready to use. You can also roll them gently on the counter or microwave them for 15 seconds before juicing.
When zesting lemons, be sure only to use the brightly colored outer rind. The white pith is bitter and unpleasant to eat.
Pink Lemons Near Me
Buy your favorite Pink Lemons online with Instacart. Order Pink Lemons from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQ about pink lemons
Keep ripe lemons on your kitchen counter if you are using them within a week. You can also store them in your refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they will stay fresh for two weeks. Wrapping your lemons in plastic wrap or placing them in a freezer bag will prevent them from drying out in the fridge. They can stay fresh in the fridge for four to six weeks.
Pink lemon juice and zest can be frozen for later use and remain fresh for up to a year. Freeze juice in an ice cube tray for recipes. Zest should be frozen individually on a sheet pan and then transferred to a freezer-safe container. This method prevents it from clumping in the freezer.
Lemons are high in acid, making them perfect for canning. Lemon segments, rings, jam, and marmalade can be preserved and kept in your pantry for up to a year.
Like all citrus fruits, pink lemons have a myriad of household uses. Here are some ideas for using pink lemons around the house:
- After juicing, throw pink lemon rinds into the garbage disposal with some ice cubes to clean and add a fresh scent.
- Add coarse salt to a lemon half and use to clean discolored copper pots and sinks. This is a great way to reuse lemons that have been juiced.
- Add pink lemon peels to vinegar-based household cleaners to boost their cleaning power and add a bright, citrus scent.
- Clean wooden cutting boards with a cut lemon and salt.
- Lemon juice quickly removes soap scum from bathtubs and shower doors.
- Use a cut lemon to remove rusty or discolored spots from silverware and faucets.
- Sprinkle dried lemon rinds around your garden to ward off pests.
Spoiled lemons may have deep bruises, moldy spots, and mushy skin. You may also notice an unpleasant odor. Dried-out lemons develop leathery, hard skin. A dry lemon will produce little juice but is not unsafe to use.
Pink lemons are an exciting addition to produce shelves. Instacart can help you get pink lemons from local retailers right to the comfort of your home! Use the Instacart app to order pink lemons, and we will do the shopping for you. You can enjoy contact-free delivery or pickup in as little as t2 hours!