Lemon Extract

People often view lemon extract as just another baking ingredient for desserts and sweet dishes. While this is true, some might not know that it can also be used to elevate savory dishes, marinades, and cocktails. People sometimes go wrong by pouring too much, assuming it's interchangeable with lemon juice. This extract is much more concentrated, thus requiring careful dosing. To get the most out of lemon extract, remember that a little goes a long way. Don't be heavy-handed. Try using it as a secret ingredient in sauces and dressings to provide a zesty, tangy hint. In baking, pair it with other citrus flavors or add it to cream cheese frosting for a lovely dessert twist. Less known is that extract of lemon can serve as a natural antiseptic and can be used in homemade cleaning solutions. It can also remove stubborn tea stains from cups, and add a fresh aroma to laundry. An exciting trick is to create an instant lemon flavored sugar by mixing granulated sugar with a few drops of this extract. Sprinkle it over muffins before baking or stir it into tea for a quick, citrusy treat. Leaving the extract bottle open for long periods will cause some evaporation and flavor loss, but it's easily avoidable by ensuring the cap is tight after use.

It may be difficult to neutralize an overly strong lemon flavor once it's there. Try to balance it out by adding more of the other ingredients if possible. In future, remember that lemon extract is quite strong so add it sparingly.