Hundred-year-old cookbooks often included hints and tips. Here’s one for storing lemons:
It may work to store lemons under a drinking glass, but I wondered if a plastic bag might be more convenient and work just as well – then I realized that plastic bags didn’t exist in 1923. According to Dienamics, plastic bags were first used in 1957 when they were used to package rolls.
I tend to think glass or ceramic would work better. They seem to have a tendency to sweat under plastic.
I think that you are right Margaret.
You may be right. I should do a comparison – though currently only have one lemon.
And you’ll probably use it before it thinks of going bad!
I don’t have glass jars from a hundred years ago, but do have glass handed down from a grandparent who treasured it. Not much money around in those days everyday things were valued.
I like that your grandparents treasured the glass. We throw so much away today. Sometimes I think that we’ve lost some important traits.
That is interesting. I’ll remember that the next time I buy a lemon.
It’s always fun to read the hints and tips in old community cookbooks.
Although they hold liquids, plastic bags are not impermeable and some air can seep in and out. I think the cup trick would work much better. I think the key is light as well as air tight.
That’s a good point. It is probably important to keep the lemon out of direct sunlight.
I agree!
I’ll try it when we get another lemon.
It’s fun to try old tips like this one.
I have a lemon under glass, but I doubt it’s really airtight!
If it doesn’t last a long time, you can decide that it was because it wasn’t airtight. 🙂