What causes lemon water to become bitter

The bitterness of lemon water may be caused by factors such as lemon variety, prolonged soaking time, high water temperature, pesticide residue in the peel, and spoilage. Lemon water can be improved by selecting low bitterness varieties, controlling soaking time, adjusting water temperature, thoroughly cleaning lemons, and ensuring food quality.

1. Lemon Varieties

Some lemon varieties themselves contain high levels of limonin, a natural ingredient that is released into water when soaked. It is recommended to choose imported lemon or perfume lemon with smooth skin and rich aroma, which have relatively low bitter substance content. If using domestically produced regular lemons, the amount of fruit peel can be appropriately reduced.

2. Long soaking time

Soaking lemon slices for more than 2 hours can lead to excessive precipitation of bitter substances such as naringin in the peel. The best drinking time is within 15-30 minutes after slicing, which can release fresh flavor without producing obvious bitterness. It is recommended to consume chilled lemon water within 6 hours.

3. High water temperature

Brewing with hot water above 60 ℃ will accelerate the rupture of skin cells and promote the rapid dissolution of bitter substances. It is recommended to use warm water at 20-40 ℃ for brewing, or use the cold soaking method to refrigerate lemon and room temperature water for 4 hours. High temperatures can also damage nutrients such as vitamin C.

4. Peel residue

Lemon peel may contain pesticides or waxing substances, which can dissolve and produce a bitter taste if not thoroughly cleaned. When cleaning, soak in baking soda water for 10 minutes first, then gently brush the surface with a soft bristled brush, and finally rinse with running water for 30 seconds. Organic lemons are relatively more suitable for soaking with skin. Lemon water stored for more than 24 hours may produce bitter metabolites due to microbial reproduction. Rotten lemon slices may exhibit characteristics such as softening and discoloration, and may produce flocculent substances in water. Lemon water should be consumed within 2 hours at room temperature in summer and no more than 8 hours in winter.

When drinking lemon water in daily life, it is recommended to soak and drink it immediately, using 1/4 slice of lemon each time to meet the flavor requirements. People with gastrointestinal sensitivity should avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and diabetes patients should control their daily intake. Paired with an appropriate amount of honey or mint leaves can effectively neutralize bitterness, but excessive sugar should not be added. If there is long-term abnormal bitterness accompanied by nausea and discomfort, it is necessary to investigate whether there is citrus allergy or digestive system disease.