We Prototyped "Dried Lemon Slices" Using Domestically Grown Lemons

This time, at Agriture we prototyped “dried lemon slices” using domestic lemons. So that they can be used as a garnish for cocktails and drinks, we dry them in a thinly sliced state.

The lemon peel portion tends to retain its yellow even after drying, while the pulp portion is characterized by changing to a brown or reddish color when dried. The appearance differs from fresh lemon slices, but this color change is favorably accepted in the world of craft cocktails and herbal teas as a texture unique to dried lemon.

Dried lemon slices can be used as a topping for cocktails, sours, and carbonated water, as well as a flavor material floated in black tea or herbal tea. It is a product for which inquiries can be expected as a commercial garnish for restaurants or as a material for gift-oriented drink kits.

At Agriture, we make proposals for OEM manufacturing of dried vegetables and fruit and for commercial raw materials. You can consult with us about the processing of dried lemon slices, starting from prototyping.

Dried turnip can be expected to attract commercial interest as a material for soups, simmered dishes, and pickles, and if processed into powder, it can also be used as a raw material for baby food and nursing-care food. Turnip's characteristic gentle flavor is a material well compatible with children's foods and products for the elderly.

Characteristics of dried lemon slices and focal points of processing

Dried lemon slices are a material made by round-slicing lemons and drying them. Their greatest characteristic is that they include the peel, pulp, and seeds as-is and can be used by floating them straight into cocktails or herbal tea. In the drying process the pulp portion discolors to brown or reddish, but because the peel’s yellow remains, the look when floated is sufficiently secured. Inquiries are increasing as a PB material for restaurants and as a gift product.Lemon product pageyou can confirm the existing specifications here.

Color change from drying and countermeasures

The most important thing in the quality design of dried lemon slices is the color change. We have organized the relationship between drying conditions and color.

The pulp discoloration is due to the reaction of the lemon’s sugars and acids, and there is no quality problem. When floated in a cocktail or tea, the peel’s yellow stands out, so the appearance evaluation is favorable.

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Dried lemon slices are mainly used to “float,” “decorate,” and “steep.” We introduce ideas by use.

Cocktails / craft drinks

Dried lemon slices can be used as a cocktail garnish simply by floating them into the glass as-is. Unlike fresh lemon, they can be stored long-term, raising restaurants’ operational efficiency.

• Cocktail garnish (gin and tonic, mojito, sangria)
• Topping for craft lemonade and lemon soda
• Accent for highballs and beer cocktails

Herbal tea and fruit tea

Floating dried lemon slices in black tea or herbal tea adds a citrus aroma and visual gorgeousness. It is also a material suited to set products with tea bags.

• Set products of dried lemon tea
• Blend material for fruit herbal tea
• PB tea material for cafés

Confectionery and sweets

You can use lemon slices as a decoration material—placing them straight onto chocolate or decorating the top of a pound cake.

• Topping for chocolate and bonbons
• Decoration for pound cakes and tarts
• A gorgeous accent for baked-sweets gifts

Gift and packaged products

Dried lemon slices are beautiful in appearance and a material that looks good in the packaging of gift products.List of dried-vegetable productsplease also consider combinations with other dried fruits here.

• The star material of a dried-fruit assortment gift
• Hot-drink kit (lemon + honey + ginger)
• Seasonal gifts for ochugen and oseibo

A base raw material for vegetable bouillon and dashi powder

We have summarized the representative specifications for commercial lots of dried lemon slices.

A vegetable base powder for baby food

Customization support

• Slice thickness: adjustable from about 3 mm to 5 mm (the thinner, the faster the rehydration)
• With or without seeds: a seed-removed finish can also be accommodated
• Packaging: individually wrapped small pouches, 500 g bags, 1 kg bags
• Shape: slice (for pickles), dice cut (for ingredients), powder
• Set: assortment with other dried fruits supported

Blending: pre-blend support with other dried vegetables

Because dried lemon slices change in color and texture with slice thickness and drying conditions, we recommend comparison at the prototype stage.

1. dried vegetable / powder OEM inquiry formLet us know the prototype details, desired slice thickness, and intended use from
2. Share the acceptable color range and use in a concept hearing (Zoom or email)
3. We ship prototype samples in units of 1 kg of raw material (usually 2–3 weeks). Comparison prototyping of different thicknesses is possible
4. Contact us with the prototyping content, desired shape, and assumed application via
5. Share the requirements of the blending destination in a concept hearing (Zoom or email)

If you tell us the use—such as “I want to make a cocktail garnish” or “I want to put it in a tea set”—we will propose the balance of slice thickness and finished color.

Product catalog showing the items we handle

Flexible support from small lots to large lots

• Sold in small lots from 100g
• Handling heirloom vegetables from across Japan
• Dried fruits and herbs also supported

Download here

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is there a quality problem with the pulp turning brown?

A. There is no quality problem. It is a natural discoloration due to the reaction of the lemon’s sugars and acids (Maillard reaction and oxidation). Because the peel’s yellow remains, the look when floated in a cocktail or tea is good.

Q. Can the seeds be removed?

A. A seed-removed finish can also be accommodated. However, because the amount of seeds varies by lemon variety and individual differences, guaranteeing complete removal may be difficult. Please confirm at the prototype stage.

Q. Can I choose the thickness of the slices?

A. It can be adjusted within a range of about 3–5 mm. Thin slices suit tea use (rehydrate quickly), and thicker slices suit cocktail garnishes (giving presence).

Q. Can it be set with other dried fruits?

A. Yes. We also support assortments with the dried fruits and dried vegetables that Agriture handles.Product listing pagePlease check the specifications on

Q. Can it be blended with other dried vegetables?

A. It can be combined with the 60-plus dried vegetables handled by Agriture. Please check the items handled on

Related pages and further reading

• Dried lemon product page (domestic, sliced)
• Agriture's dried vegetable and powder product list
• See the vegetable powder list page
• For consultations on dried vegetable and powder OEM here
• The nutritional value and benefits of vegetable powder