How to Tell If Lemons and Limes Are Bad
Quick answer
Lemons and limes are bad when they’re mushy, shriveled, or moldy, with white-green fuzz or a sour fermented smell. A hard, dried-out one with no mold is just past its prime, not necessarily spoiled.
Signs Lemons and Limes have gone bad
- White, green, or blue mold. Mold often starts at the stem or on a soft spot and spreads fast on citrus. Toss the whole fruit, as mold can penetrate the rind.
- Soft, squishy spots. A fresh citrus is firm with a slight give. Mushy spots, especially at the ends, mean decay is underway.
- Leaking or sticky rind. Juice seeping through the skin shows breakdown inside. Throw it out.
- Fermented or musty smell. Fresh citrus smells bright. A musty, sour, or alcohol-like odor means it has spoiled.
- Very hard and shriveled with little juice. A rock-hard, wrinkled fruit has dried out. It isn’t unsafe if it has no mold, but it won’t be worth using.
- Dark brown or black sunken patches. Dark, soft sunken spots on the skin indicate rot that has probably reached the pulp. Discard it.
Looks weird, but it's fine
- Green tinge on a lemon or yellow-orange on a lime. Color depends on ripeness and variety. A lime that turns yellowish is ripe, not rotten.
- Brown scars or rough texture on the rind. These are surface blemishes from growing and handling. The fruit inside is fine.
- Hardened juice or a slightly thick rind. Thick-skinned fruit has less juice but isn’t spoiled. Zest and use what you can.
How long do Lemons and Limes last?
| Where | How long | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Counter | About 1 week | whole |
| Fridge | 3–4 weeks | whole, in the crisper |
| Fridge | 3–4 days | cut halves, wrapped |
| Freezer | 3–4 months | juice or zest |
How to store them
- Refrigerate whole citrus in a loose bag in the crisper to double or triple its life.
- Cover cut halves tightly or place them cut side down on a small plate, and use within a few days.
- Freeze juice in ice-cube trays and zest in a small bag so you never waste an old fruit.
Use it up before it turns
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a lemon that’s hard?
If there’s no mold and no sour smell, a hard lemon is usually just dried out. Roll it, warm it briefly, or zest it, though the juice yield may be low.
Is moldy citrus safe if I cut off the mold?
No. Citrus is soft and juicy, and mold can spread beneath the rind where you can’t see it. Toss the fruit.
Why does my lime have brown spots?
Small brown spots or scarring on the skin are usually cosmetic. If the spots are soft, sunken, or leaking, the lime is rotting and should be discarded.
More food freshness guides
General guidance based on USDA FoodKeeper. Storage times are estimates and conditions vary. When in doubt, throw it out.