Have you ever noticed that lemons can be purchased in a grocery store both individually and in bags? Since lemons are not a fruit where the entire unit is consumed, it leaves us to wonder how many lemons might be in a bag or a case.
Many recipes call for one extreme or the other when it comes to using lemons. For example, they are either used as the focal point of the recipe, as they are in lemonade, or they are merely used to add taste, as is the case with lemon zest.
Knowing how much lemons are in the equivalent of the recipe you seek to make is key in buying the correct quantity. Read on to determine approximately how many lemons you might need.
What is the average size of a lemon?
You might be surprised to find out that there are many different types of lemons, so these fruits come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From small, firm varieties to fruits that appear to consist of many long tubes, lemons come in a variety of types from various areas of the world. Some lemons can even be a hybrid mixture that was cultivated with another fruit to make a unique citrus flavor.
The average size lemon is one that you can almost completely close your hand around. This equates to approximately one-and-a-half inches in diameter. Knowing what an average-sized lemon is can help you guess the approximate weight of your purchase in a store.
How much does a lemon weigh?
An average lemon will typically weigh between 2-3 ounces. One that is larger in diameter will have a heavier weight, while a smaller diameter will warrant a lighter weight.
Of course, these estimates can always vary based on the size of the lemon, the amount of juice inside, and the thickness of the skin. You should keep this in mind when estimating the weight of a lemon in a grocery store.
Many recipes call for a specific amount of lemon juice. This can be difficult to measure if you do not know how much juice is typically in one lemon. One lemon can produce about three tablespoons of juice.
Special tools can be purchased and used to juice lemons, and these often measure the tablespoons of juice as it comes out. However, if you are a cook who enjoys squeezing a fresh lemon over your dish, knowing this measurement can help you estimate how many lemons you might need to use to season your dish properly.
How many lemons in a pound?
In general, one pound of lemons usually consists of four fruits that are average-sized. There are 16 ounces in a pound, so larger lemons will reach this limit more quickly than lemons that are smaller in size.
If you need less than a pound of lemons, fewer than three should do the trick. If you are search of more than a pound of lemons, stick with six fruits or more.
Many recipes and mixed drinks call for lemon zest, which is a scraping of the rind on the outside of the fruit. Each lemon can produce about one tablespoon of zest, so you can expect to get about four tablespoons of lemon zest from one pound of lemons.
Related: How many apples?
How many lemons in a bag?
A bag of lemons usually weighs about three pounds. When filled with lemons of average size, there will be approximately 12 to 15 lemons in this sized bag. Bags of lemons are often comprised of netting or durable plastic with holes that allow fruit to be washed easily and moisture to escape out of the bag to avoid deterioration.
Aside from individual fruits, a bag of lemons is the most common quantity you will typically find in a grocery store. Many buyers will not use more than this on a routine basis, and lemons can last in the refrigerator for quite some time before they go bad.
Bags of lemons are a great option for those who enjoy using these fruits to flavor their water or as frequent additions to their food dishes. There are just enough to be cheaper in price than individually purchased lemons, but not as many as there are in a case that will provide more than you can feasibly use.
How many lemons in a case?
The number of lemons in a case will greatly depend on how large the case, itself, is. A typical case of lemons will hold approximately 10-12 pounds of fruit. Considering the weight of an average lemon, this would mean each case holds around 20 to 30 lemons total.
Yet, customers who need a larger quantity of lemons may be able to find them in alternative markets or have them specially ordered to their local store. This may be the case for a recipe that calls for many lemons or in serving a dish with a lot of lemon flavoring to a large crowd.
A Love for Lemons
Whether you enjoy a hint of lemon here and there or a giant glass of lemonade, it will serve you well to know how many lemons to expect in each type of purchase quantity. This will ensure you do not purchase too few or too many lemons for your intended recipe. Though quantities can change based on variety and size, these guidelines will help get you off to a good beginning.
The amount of juice in one lemon can vary depending on the size and ripeness of the lemon, as well as how it is juiced. On average, one lemon contains about 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 milliliters) of juice. However, some lemons may yield more or less juice depending on their individual characteristics.
