To know the difference between lemon extract and lemon juice, one first should know about them. Lemon extract is a liquid with a strong and dense flavour of lemon and is made by soaking very thin slices of lemon in alcohol. Soaking makes the alcohol absorb all the important oils present in lemon peel, giving it a strong lemon flavour without getting any bad bitter taste from it.
However, lemon juice is much different from Citrus Limon Extract as it is made by squeezing fresh and juicy ripe lemons. This is somewhat different from lemon extract as it contains lemon`s biter and acidic flavour and a faint flavour of lemon in it. People can easily buy lemon juice at their local baking store or online stores. It can be found alongside other citrus juices such as grapefruit juice or lime juice.
Differentiation based on their nature
Even though lemon extract, as well as lemon juice both, come from lemon, they have their ow different natures:
- Acidic nature-Lemon extract having a base of alcohol does not have much lemons acid and cannot curdle milk when both are mixed. However, lemon juice, on the other hand, has a high content of acid and can most likely curdle milk when combined with it.
- Base form-Lemon juice does not have a base and is just squeezed lemons combined with either water or some kind of preservative. Whereas, Lemon extract has alcohol as its base, which absorbs lemon`s flavour.
- Making process-Citrus Limon Extract can be easily made by soaking lemon zests or peels in alcohol, which will absorb its flavour without inheriting its bitterness or acidic taste. Lemon juice can also be made very easily and takes a lot less time to make than lemon extract. One just has to squeeze a bunch of lemons and add either water or preservatives. Lemon juice has a strong acidic flavour and a high bitterness of lemon but has a faint lemon flavour in it.
- Flavour- As mentioned earlier, the lemon extract has a strong flavour of lemon in it but without the taste of acid and bitterness in it. However, the same cannot be said for lemon juice as it is the opposite of lemon extract in terms of flavour. It has a strong acidic nature and a bitter taste of lemon but less of its flavour.
Separate benefits of citrus extract and lemon juice
Lemon extract has several health benefits in it as a study shows it can reduce the chance of cancer if taken in fruit and a plant-based diet. It can also strengthen and nourish a person`s hair, making them more strong and more beautiful, which is very commonly used in many hair products and skincare products. It can also help decrease the heart`s cholesterol level and prevent some heart diseases.
Lemon juice, on the other hand, is good for a person in other ways as it can recover a person`s stamina along with clearing skin. One can also strengthen their bones if one consumes lemon juice regularly, increasing a person`s dental health and preventing anaemia or kidney stones. In addition, people generally drink lemon water when exercising as it refreshes them. Lemonade is also very common for people to drink in summer as it prevents dehydration and keeps them full of energy for the whole day.
Lemon extract can also be used in making cakes and deserts of lemon flavour as it is rich in lemon flavour without its bitterness or acidic nature. Lemon juice is also used in curdling milk and making some tart deserts or savoury foods. Several people like savoury food, and due to this some drink fresh lemon juice directly without any added water or preservatives in it.
Substitute for lemon juice
Lemon extract is arguably the closest and best substitute for lemon juice as it provides most of the same benefits and some additional ones. It also does not have the acidic nature and bitter flavour of the lemon juice; instead, it has a strong lemon flavour. Consumption of Citrus Limon Extract can prevent some people from getting heart disease and decreasing their cholesterol levels.
