Are you still cutting lemons in half? If you’re a lemon water enthusiast like me, it’s time to level up your citrus game. I used to burn through lemons like crazy, but thanks to a chef friend, I’ve discovered a game-changing technique that maximizes juice yield from citrus fruits. This method works wonders for lemons, limes, and oranges. Prepare to have your mind blown!

The Game-Changing Method

1. Slice off both pointy ends of the lemon (about 1-1.5 inches from the tips).
2. Place the lemon on one of its flat sides.
3. Cut off the rounded edges in four cuts, creating a cube-shaped core.
4. Store all pieces in a glass container in the fridge.

You’ll end up with seven pieces: one cube, four rounded edges, and two pointy end pieces.

For an exact visual, check out my IG video post here.

Important Notes

Maximizing Your Citrus

• Squeeze any piece directly into your drink.
• The rounded edges are juice goldmines – don’t waste them!
• Drop the cube into your glass for continuous flavor infusion.
• Use 1-3 pieces daily, depending on preference.

Pro Tips

• Batch prep 1-2 lemons at a time for 3-5 days of use.
• For larger fruits like oranges, halve the cube for easier squeezing.
• For limes, cut a triangle shape instead of cube, since it’s smaller.

Why It Works

• Maximizes juice yield
• No special equipment needed
• Reduces waste
• Convenient and time-saving
• Perfect for those who don’t have a juicer and/or prefer a minimalist kitchen

Addressing Common Concerns

• Organic vs. Non-Organic: I prefer organic, but I’m not strict about it.
• Hand Sensitivity: If needed, use plastic gloves to cover hands.

Other Notes

• Limit batches to 2 lemons to prevent spoilage.
• Clean your storage container between batches.

Long version:

Each one of those pieces can be squeezed into your drink. All of the four sides that you cut off hold a lot of juice on the edges, so to maximize your juicing, it’s great to get all of that out. I usually cut 1-2 lemons like this and put all the pieces in a glass tupperware that I keep in the fridge. Every morning I’ll pull out pieces and squeeze them into my water for the day. I leave the lemon piece in my water cup – I love doing this because the juice continues to come out throughout the day. I usually go through one to three pieces in a day, depending on how small the pieces are and my flavor preferences. This tupperware lasts me anywhere from three to five days. 

This method applies to smaller limes and bigger oranges. This is how you can cut oranges for smoothies (if you like fresh squeezed). This is a great technique to know in case you don’t have a hand squeezer or hand juicer. I like to live simply and hate having a bunch of gadgets and washing said gadgets, so this method is a life saver for me. I will note that for oranges, since they are bigger, I have to cut the inside cube in half so that my hand can squeeze it better (I have small hands). 

I try to buy organic lemons since it’s going in my water but I’m not strict about it. I rarely like to drink water without lemon juice now. Even in restaurants I’ll always ask for a side of lemons, yes I’m that person. 

Wear Gloves If Needed

During my healing journey, the cuts on my hands were so severe that I wasn’t able to cut lemons bare handed. I used to balm my hands up, then wear cotton gloves to protect my skin, and then wore plastic gloves over that so the juices didn’t soak through the cotton gloves. Eventually, I didn’t need the cotton gloves anymore, but every now and then I’ll still wear plastic gloves so I don’t have to wash my hands. The plastic gloves I wear are typically from Hmart, they’re like these disposable one size vinyl gloves that Asians wear when marinating their food, or you can buy on amazon.

Why Not Use a Handheld Squeezer?

If you’re wondering why i don’t use one of those hand squeeze tools, this is why: 

• Still doesn’t solve my lemon juice problem and I’d need to buy more lemons if I cut them in half. 
• My hands are small and because steroids have thinned the skin on my hands, I try to avoid applying extra pressure on my hands.
• I hate using extra tools because it creates more dishes (tbh i’d probably just rinse it and not really scrub with soap), but really i’m a minimalist and don’t like a lot of kitchen tools.

Final Note

I advise against batching more than two lemons in tupperware because I find that after a few days, the lemons start to turn (or rot), even though it’s in glass tupperware. So, like with all fresh ingredients, I have to eat it fast or portion it smaller. And this goes without saying, but of course, wash your tupperware after each batch.    

Is there a different way you cut lemons? Share your experiences and let’s revolutionize our lemon water game together!