This article provides an overview of lemon extract, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make lemon extract substitutes.
What is Lemon Extract?
Lemon extract is a lemon-flavored liquid made by soaking lemon peels in alcohol or oil. The alcohol absorbs the essential oils from the peels, which results in a potent lemon flavor, without the bitterness and acidic flavors usually associated with lemons.
What does Lemon Extract taste like?
The taste of lemon extract is a deep and strong lemony flavor. It has less bitterness and tartness than lemon juice, which can be described as having a much milder taste.
Is Lemon Extract readily available in Supermarkets?
Lemon extract should be readily available in major supermarkets, it will usually be found in the baking aisle.
What are some alternative names for Lemon Extract?
Thankfully, there are no alternative names for lemon extract.
What is a good substitute for Lemon Extract in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for lemon extract. These include:
- Lemon Juice (however, be aware that when added to recipes, it may result in a more bitter flavor)
- Lemon zest (which has a very similar concentrated flavor and doesn’t add that bitterness)
- If you have no lemon products on hand, try any other citrus fruit as a substitute such as lime, orange or mandarin
What cuisines is Lemon Extract used in?
Lemon extract is a common ingredient in cooking and baking, used to add a bright, citrusy flavor to dishes. Here are some cuisines where lemon extract is commonly used:
American Cuisine
Lemon extract is commonly used in American cuisine, particularly in baking. It is often used in recipes for lemon bars, lemon cakes, and lemon meringue pie. Additionally, it is sometimes used in savory dishes such as lemon chicken and lemon shrimp scampi.
Italian Cuisine
Lemon extract is also commonly used in Italian cuisine, particularly in pasta dishes and seafood dishes. It is used to add a bright, fresh flavor to dishes such as linguine with lemon and shrimp and lemon risotto.
Greek Cuisine
Lemon extract is a key ingredient in Greek cuisine, particularly in dishes such as Greek lemon chicken and avgolemono soup. It is used to add a tangy, bright flavor to these dishes and to cut through the richness of meats and sauces.
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Lemon extract is also commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in dishes such as tabbouleh and fattoush salad. It is used to add a bright, fresh flavor to these dishes and to balance the flavors of herbs and spices.
Indian Cuisine
Lemon extract is sometimes used in Indian cuisine, particularly in recipes for lemon rice and lemon pickle. It is used to add a tangy, citrusy flavor to these dishes and to balance the flavors of spices such as cumin and coriander.