Produce
How long does Lemons / Limes last?
Medium confidence
Quality concern
How long does Lemons / Limes last? fridge 4–6 weeks, pantry 1–2 weeks, freezer 1 year (juice or zest). Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.
Fridge
4–6 weeks
Pantry
1–2 weeks
Freezer
1 year (juice or zest)
Sealed / unopened: N/A
Signs Lemons / Limes has gone bad
- Soft sunken patches, mold (white, green, or black) on the skin.
- Dried hard rind, fermented smell.
Discard immediately if
- Mold on soft fruit (berries, peaches) — discard the whole batch, mold spreads invisibly
- Brown leaking liquid
- Alcoholic or fermented smell
Why guidance varies
Fresh produce ripening depends on ethylene-gas exposure, storage temperature, humidity, and time since harvest — duration estimates assume typical home conditions, not optimal commercial storage.
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Sources for this answer
- A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
- A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.