How to Preserve Apples With Lemon Juice

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By G. K. Bayne
eHow Contributing Writer

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When you are wanting to freeze or dry apples to preserve the harvest, lemon juice is a vital ingredient to the process. Once an apple is peeled or cut, the flesh will begin to turn brown exposed to air. Lemon juice will preserve the color of the flesh, keeping the apple looking fresh and delicious. Even if you plan on turning the sliced apples into pie or applesauce immediately, the use of lemon juice will reduce the browning effects.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Small, shallow bowl
Lemon juice
Measuring cup
Dehydrator (optional)
Zipper freezer bags

Step 1

Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice in a small, shallow bowl. This can be either fresh squeezed lemon juice or the 'real' lemon juice purchased in a bottle at the grocery store.
Step 2

Peel the apples if desired. Slice the apples into quarters or eighths if you plan to freeze the slices. Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices if you plan to dehydrate.
Step 3

Place the slices immediately into the lemon juice as your cut. Make sure that all of the slice is submerged into the lemon juice in the bowl.
Step 4

Remove the slices one at a time, allowing excess lemon juice to drain back into the bowl.
Step 5

Place the 1/4-inch slices in a single layer on a dehydrator rack and process according to the manufacturers instructions. If freezing, place the apple slices into zipper freezer bags and put into the freezer as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

You can dehydrate apples in the oven. Place the apple slices in a single layer on a wire rack inside a cookie sheet. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees, or the lowest setting your oven will achieve. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours. Turn the slices over and dehydrate for an addition 3 to 4 hours or until the slices are dry and leathery to the touch. Citric acid, available at any pharmacy, can accomplish the same results as lemon juice. Apples soaked in lemon juice will stay fresh and crispy in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.