Lemon powder is a dried and powdered form of lemon zest. It is made by drying and grinding lemon peel, resulting in a fine, tangy powder that is versatile in cooking and baking. This spice has a vivid bright yellow color and a strong, tart flavor and goes well with baked goods, marinades, salad dressings, and seasoning blends.
Table of Contents
What is lemon powder?
Lemon powder is a dehydrated form of lemon zest. It’s a citrus fruit powder made from a whole lemon or lemon peel that is dried (freeze-dried, air-dried, or spray-dried).
It is common as a flavoring and seasoning in various cuisines.
| Origin | Unclear origin, likely made to cover the needs for long-lasting lemon-flavored spice |
| Cuisines | Various cuisines and dishes |
| Appearance | A fine, pale-yellow powder with a slightly gritty texture |
| Flavor profile | Has a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor characteristic of fresh lemon zest |
Origin
The origin of lemon powder is unclear. People believe it was created in response to the need for a long-lasting, convenient form of lemon flavoring. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and producing beverages, desserts, and other food products.
Cuisines
Lemon powder is a regular seasoning or flavoring agent in various foods and beverages, such as:
- Marinades
- Dressings
- Sauces
- Glazes
- Icings
- Lemon water
- Baked goods
- Desserts
It can also be used as a natural preservative to add tartness to certain dishes.
Lastly, you can use a lemon powder like lemon juice, vegetables, dry meat rubs, and savory sauces (with other herbs and butter).
Appearance
Lemon powder is a fine, pale-yellow powder with a slightly gritty texture. It often replaces fresh lemon zest or juice in equal amounts.
Flavor profile
This lemon peel powder has a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor characteristic of fresh lemon zest, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It is made from lemon peel and contains no additional ingredients or preservatives. Its flavor can be used in various dishes, from sweet to savory.
Nutritional Benefits of lemon powder
It’s essential to pick an organic lemon juice powder that doesn’t have additives, sweeteners, or corn syrup solids. Luckily, the lemon powder is vegan, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, and nutritious.
Like lemon, the powder is a potent source of antioxidants, potassium, and Vitamin C. These could help boost your immune system and guard against chronic ailments and damaging free radicals. Vitamin C from lemon powder may also improve skin health by reducing aging, wrinkles, and dryness.
Lemons also contain polyphenols with anti-obesity properties that can prevent weight gain and suppress body fat accumulation. Lemons might help control blood pressure and improve digestion by relieving constipation. Additionally, lemon is a natural breath freshener that kills bacteria that cause bad breath.
How do I use lemon powder?
| You can use lemon powder in cooking: | You can add it to drinks: | The lemon powder can also help with cleaning: |
| Use lemon powder as a seasoning for fish, poultry, or vegetables. Sprinkle it on before roasting or grilling. | Mix the lemon powder with water to make lemonade or add it to tea or hot water. | Mix the lemon powder with baking soda to create a paste for scrubbing various surfaces. |
| Mix lemon powder into marinades or salad dressings. | Use lemon powder as a rimming salt for margaritas or other cocktails with citrus flavors. | Sprinkle lemon powder onto cutting boards to remove stains and odors. |
| Add lemon powder to baked goods like cakes, muffins, and cookies. | Add lemon powder to smoothies or protein shakes. | Add lemon powder to the dishwasher for a fresh, citrusy scent and to remove stains from dishes. |
| Use it in greek yogurt dips together with parsley and garlic. | Use lemon powder to add a lemon flavor to your tea. |
Are lemon juice and lemon powder the same thing?
Lemon juice and powder are not the same thing, but they taste similar – with lemon powder being more pungent.
Lemon juice is the liquid extracted from the fruit, while lemon powder is made from dehydrated and powdered lemon zest. Lemon powder also has a significantly longer shelf life, so you can keep it in your pantry for months or use it if you’re out of fresh lemons.
Can I substitute lemon powder for lemon juice?
You can use lemon powder as a lemon juice replacement and vice versa. You should only pay attention to the amount of liquid the recipe requires and adjust accordingly.
However, the flavor of lemon powder is more potent than that of lemon juice. The substitution ratio is 1 teaspoon of powder for 1 tablespoon of natural lemon zest.
If you want to substitute lemon powder, you can also use lime juice powder and orange powder.
What is the recipe for lemon powder?
To make lemon powder, you need to zest the lemon peel, spread the zest on a baking sheet, and let it dry out in the sun or a low-temperature oven. Once completely dry, blend the zest into a fine powder using a blender or spice grinder. Store the lemon powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.