can I make lemon curd from frozen juice?
May 30, 2019 6:34 AM Subscribe
I have too many lemons, very little time, a small freezer, and there's only so much lemon curd we can consume before it spoils (including friends and family). Although I read everywhere that lemon curd freezes nicely, could I just juice the lemons, freeze jars full of lemon juice and then make smaller batches of fresh lemon curd when needed?
Yes, you can keep lemon juice in the freezer for 4-6 months before it starts to degrade in quality.
posted by briank at 6:52 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by briank at 6:52 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
As someone who makes a lot of lemon curd, there's no reason I can think of that it wouldn't work.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 6:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 6:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
What is essential in the juice for lemon curd is the acidity to coagulate the egg proteins. I am not aware of freezing having any impact on pH.
I would however grate zest into the lemon juice. Curd ordinarily requires zest anyway, but especially with frozen juice which I find losses some flavor ordinarily.
posted by JPD at 7:23 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
I would however grate zest into the lemon juice. Curd ordinarily requires zest anyway, but especially with frozen juice which I find losses some flavor ordinarily.
posted by JPD at 7:23 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You absolutely can freeze the lemon juice. But just confirming from lots o' personal experience that curd freezes and defrosts *fantastically* well. No change in texture. It's amazing. I freeze mine in 4 oz glass canning jars and defrost in the fridge.
(Bonus: Eating frozen curd straight from the freezer with a small spoon by oneself is a delightful indulgence. Cook's treat, yo.)
posted by desuetude at 7:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
(Bonus: Eating frozen curd straight from the freezer with a small spoon by oneself is a delightful indulgence. Cook's treat, yo.)
posted by desuetude at 7:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
You can also process and preserve lemon juice like you would any other acidic food product. Then you have jars of lemon juice ready to go without thawing!
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:06 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:06 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you find the frozen stuff to have lost any flavor, you could always include a fresh lemon’s worth of juice and zest when you make your curd.
posted by cabingirl at 1:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by cabingirl at 1:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by terrapin at 6:48 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]