Always Buy Lemons

I do a lot of grocery shopping. At least four times a week, I’ll drop a “going to the store bbiab” into Slack (because I don’t want my coworkers to panic if they can’t get ahold of me, the obvious lynchpin of Lifehacker). I know what I’m talking about when it comes to buying groceries is what I’m saying, and you should listen to me.

If there is one grocery habit I wish I could instil in everyone, it is to always buy a few lemons. Always. Even if you think you have a few in the fridge, human memory is deeply flawed, and probably have fewer than you think. So buy more, at least three. You really cannot have too many and, if you somehow to end up with an obscene amount of yellow citrus fruit, you can always make lemonade. (I don’t know why anyone would complain about life handing you lemons. I love a handout!)

We all know that lemons are an extremely useful, versatile and cheap ingredient, and it’s better to have a surplus than be caught without one like a fool. They’re crucial in the beverage department. Water and tea are boring without their juice, and cocktails feel unfinished without the oils provided by a strip of their peel. They’re the ultimate finisher.

You can brighten any savoury dish with as simple squeeze of juice, and their the zest can bring balance and nuance to both super sweet desserts and salty (perhaps cheese-heavy) salads. If you get tired of tasting them (never felt that emotion) you can clean your kitchen with them. Truly, they are a gift. So buy them, every time you’re at the store. (You should probably get some limes too.)