Nothing beats the vibrant, refreshing taste of freshly squeezed citrus juice. Whether you’re concocting a zesty cocktail or adding a tangy twist to a homemade salad dressing, every drop counts. However, extracting the maximum amount of juice from lemons, limes, and oranges can sometimes feel like an arduous task. Fortunately, there’s a hack for that.
Enter the microwave trick. This simple technique can revolutionize how you juice citrus — and how successful you are. To get the most out of lemons, limes, and oranges, heat up the fruit in the microwave until it is warm, but avoid cooking it. This should only take 30 seconds at the most. After that, just give the citrus a little roll on the counter and squeeze it as you normally would. You can use either your hands or a squeezing tool.
While this method is easy and fast, you might be wondering why this trick actually helps to release and produce more juice from your citrus.
The science behind microwaving citrus fruits
At a glance, microwaving citrus fruits might seem counterintuitive. After all, we typically associate microwaves with heating and cooking. However, there’s a method to the madness. The secret lies in the way microwaves interact with the cellular structure of citrus fruits.
Lemons, limes, and oranges are made up of tiny juice-filled sacs called vesicles, which are surrounded by a firm membrane. When these fruits are microwaved, the water molecules within the vesicles are agitated, causing the membranes to break down and release their juice. As a result, you’re able to extract more liquid than you would by using conventional juicing methods.
Microwaving lemons, limes, and oranges is a game-changing hack that will help you extract more juice with minimal effort. By utilizing this technique, you’ll be able to enjoy the full potential of your citrus fruits and enhance your favorite drinks and dishes. So, the next time you find yourself in need of a citrus boost, remember this ingenious trick and get ready to experience a juicing revelation.
