How do you make powdered lemonade concentrate from fresh squeezed lemons?

Step 1: Prepare the Lemons

Fresh lemons (or another type of citrus, like limes)

A lemon squeezer or citrus press

1. Wash the lemons thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue.

2. Cut the lemons in half.

3. Use the lemon squeezer to extract the juice from the lemons into a bowl or measuring cup.

4. Strain the lemon juice to remove any pulp or seeds if you prefer a smoother texture.

Step 2: Reduce the Lemon Juice

A saucepan or pot

A stove or heat source

1. Pour the lemon juice into a saucepan or pot.

2. Bring the lemon juice to a simmer over low heat.

3. Let the lemon juice simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. The lemon juice will reduce and thicken slightly as the water evaporates.

Step 3: Add Sugar

Sugar (the amount depends on your desired sweetness level)

1. Once the lemon juice has reduced, remove it from the heat.

2. Add sugar to the lemon juice and stir until it is dissolved.

3. The amount of sugar you add is based on your personal taste preferences. Start with a small amount, taste the lemonade, and then adjust the sweetness as desired.

Step 4: Dry the Lemon Juice Concentrate

A baking sheet or parchment paper

An oven or dehydrator

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Pour the sweetened lemon juice concentrate onto the baking sheet, spreading it out evenly into a thin layer.

3. Place the baking sheet in an oven or dehydrator and let the lemon juice concentrate dry.

* Drying time may vary depending on the oven or dehydrator's temperature and the amount of lemon juice concentrate you have.

Step 5: Blend into Powder Form

A blender or food processor

An airtight container for storage

1. Once the lemon juice concentrate is completely dry, remove it from the oven or dehydrator.

2. Break it into smaller pieces if necessary and transfer it to a blender or food processor.

3. Blend the lemon juice concentrate until it turns into a fine powder.

4. Store the powdered lemonade concentrate in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Tips:

- You can adjust the recipe according to your taste - make it more or less sweet (by adjusting the amount of sugar) or more or less tart (by adjusting the amount of lemon juice).

- To add an extra flavor boost, consider adding zest from the lemons or a pinch of salt to your powdered lemonade concentrate.

- You can also try using different types of citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, or limes.