Dried green lemon

Dried green lemon is a commercial material made by turning domestically grown lemons—harvested while still green, before they ripen yellow—into raw material in round slices. It has a higher-rising aroma than yellow lemons and a clean, refreshing tartness, and, being easy to use with the peel on thanks to thin skin and little bitterness, that quality is sealed in by low-temperature drying. At Agriture, we run it alongside green lemon powder made by finely milling the same green lemon (made to order), proposing a division of use: dried green lemon for applications where you want to keep the round-slice shape and appearance, and powder for flavoring drinks, confectionery, and powders.

Compared with ordinary yellow lemons or imported lemons, green lemon differentiates itself by its "high aroma unique to the pre-ripe stage," "the reassurance of domestic and usable with the peel on," and "clean, refreshing tartness." It is a material we get many prototype inquiries for, as a raw material for black tea, flavored tea, carbonated-drink decoration, baked goods, flavoring dishes, and dressings.

Agriture's dried green lemon: three points of care

1. Low-temperature drying that makes the most of the aroma

Green lemon's appeal is the refreshing aroma that rises, unique to the pre-ripe stage. At Agriture, we hold down the drying temperature and design the process to remove moisture in a short time, keeping the aroma and greenish tint in the finished product as much as possible. Having the aroma rise when put into hot water or a drink is a factor that shapes the appearance and flavor of black tea, flavored tea, and drinks.

2. A round-slice shape usable with the peel on

Green lemon is shaped into rounds and slices before drying. Because the skin is thin and has little bitterness, it is easy to use with the peel on, and it is a shape where flavor emerges readily in hot water or drinks. It can be floated straight in black tea, herbal tea, or carbonated drinks, and you can enjoy the look of the cross-section too. Thickness can be adjusted to match the application, so you can select to match the finished product's appearance and how the flavor comes out.

3. Selecting domestic (Ehime-grown) green lemon for the raw material

At Agriture, we use green lemon from domestic growing regions, led by Ehime, assessing aroma height, tartness, and size to make the raw material. Raw material with visible origin makes traceability easy to design, and is one reason it is chosen in prototypes by tea, confectionery, and drink makers.

Features of commercial dried green lemon

Even among citrus dried raw materials, green lemon holds a unique position with its aroma, refreshing tartness, and being usable with the peel on. We organize, from six perspectives, its strengths that assume a round-slice shape.

Product specifications (commercial)

Basic specifications at the prototype stage are as follows. Purchase lot, lead time, and packaging format are worked out through individual consultation.

Item	Details
Product name	Dried green lemon
Raw material	The basic specifications at the prototype stage are as follows. The sourcing lot, lead time, and packaging form are finalized in individual consultation to match the intended final product.
Shape	Round slices / slices. Thickness adjusted to match the application
Appearance	Round slices of greenish peel
Aroma	A refreshing, rising lemon aroma
Net content	Individual quote according to use and lot
Best-before date	About 6 months from the shipping date
Storage method	Avoid high temperature, high humidity, and direct sunlight; after opening, seal and store in a cool, dark place
Minimum prototype lot	From 1 kg of raw material

Customization support

You can consult us from the prototype stage about shape, cut size, packaging, and final commercialization. Because we nail down the recipe while keeping records, it is a setup where specifications don't drift between prototype and mass production.

Item	Available	Details
Shape adjustment	Round slice / slice / dice	Design thickness and size to match the finished product's look and how the flavor comes out
Powdering	Fine powder (made to order)	For flavoring confectionery, drinks, and seasonings, and powder blending
Blend design	Combined with other citrus and herbs	Tea mix with mandarin, natsumikan, and herbs
Packaging form	Commercial bulk / small bag / individual wrapping	From bulk for tea to packs for confectionery material
OEM productization	End-to-end support through the finished product	From concept to production for flavored tea, drinks, and confectionery raw materials

Commitments to variety, grower, and growing region

Green lemon is a citrus in the Rutaceae family, referring to lemons harvested while still green, before they ripen yellow. At Agriture, we base our raw-material design on origin, harvest timing, and aroma height.

Low-temperature drying technology and quality control

Prompt drying after cutting

After green lemon is round-sliced, the cross-section oxidizes over time, dulling in color and letting the aroma escape easily. By moving promptly from cutting to drying, we finish it under conditions that balance aroma and greenish tint.

Retaining aroma through low-temperature drying

High-heat drying lets the refreshing aroma escape and tends to dull the color. By drawing out moisture slowly at low temperatures, we finish it so the aroma rises even when put into hot water or a drink. As a material for black tea, flavored tea, and drinks, we aim for a raw material whose green-lemon character comes through in appearance. For tea, floating a round slice as-is to steep transfers the aroma and refreshment to the water. For drink decoration, garnishing with it to make the most of the greenish cross-section conveys a refreshing impression.

Use cases

We organize the applications customers bring to us for prototyping into six categories. All are examples of recipe design that make the most of green lemon's aroma, refreshing tartness, and round-slice shape.

1. Black tea and flavored tea

Usable as a material for black tea, herbal tea, and flavored tea. Floating a round slice as-is to steep transfers aroma and refreshment to the water, and it can be developed into blends with tea bags and loose leaf. It can be held as room-temperature stock, and being able to bring green lemon's aroma into a product regardless of season is also valued in commercial use.

2. Carbonated drinks and drink decoration

Usable for decorating and flavoring carbonated drinks, cocktails, sodas, and cold-brew drinks. Garnishing with it to make the most of the greenish cross-section makes the look refreshing, becoming an accent for the drink menu. Being usable with the peel on, transferring even the peel's aroma into the drink is also a feature.

3. Confectionery and bakery

Usable for flavoring and decorating baked goods, pound cakes, and breads. Making the most of the aroma and refreshing tartness, it can be developed into confectionery and bakery products that highlight citrus aroma, such as lemon cakes, scones, and muffins. Using a round slice as a topping makes the cross-section's look an accent as well.

4. Dishes and dressings

Usable for flavoring meat and fish dishes, or as a material for dressings and marinades. The refreshing tartness and peel aroma cleanly tie together the heaviness of oils and proteins. Rehydrated and chopped, it can also be developed into flavoring for sauces, tare, and dressed dishes.

5. Retort, frozen foods, and seasonings

Can be built into retort and frozen foods and meal kits as a flavoring material. It can be stably secured as room-temperature stock, and being pre-prepped cuts production-line man-hours. It also suits raw materials for seasonings where you want citrus aroma to work, such as ponzu, tare, and sauces.

6. Gifts and assortment products

Usable as a material for gift products such as tea sets, drink kits, and baked-goods assortments. The greenish round-slice look and the domestic angle suit adding value to gifts. Combined with powder, it can balance appearance with flavoring.

Commercial usage and rehydration

Rehydration basics

• For tea: float a round slice straight in hot water and steep for 2 to 4 minutes. Aroma and refreshment transfer to the water
• For drink decoration: garnish as-is, or lightly rehydrate in cold water or carbonation to make the most of the cross-section's look
• For dishes and dressings: rehydrate in water or hot water for 4 to 6 minutes, then chop and use
• Because the rehydrating liquid carries green lemon's aroma and tartness, it is good to use it straight in drinks and sauces

Blending guide

• Tea: add 1 to 2 round slices per 200ml of hot water as a guide
• Carbonated drink: 1 round slice per glass (200ml) for decoration and flavoring
• Confectionery: chop and blend 3 to 6g of dried per 100g of dough
• Dressing: rehydrate and use 2 to 4g of dried per 100ml

How to store

• Before opening: store in a cool, dark place at room temperature, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight
• After opening: transfer to a zip bag or airtight container and use up within 1 to 2 months
• The best-before date is about 6 months from the shipping date. Note that light and moisture absorption change the aroma and color
• Refrigerated storage is possible. Because condensation forms right after taking it out, return it to room temperature before opening

Related cases and articles

• Dried Lemon – a raw material of yellow, ripened lemon
• Dried Mandarin – a citrus dried-fruit raw material
• Dried Natsumikan Peel – a citrus-peel raw material
• Dried Vegetables and Dried Fruit Raw-Materials List
• Consult us on food OEM and raw material supply

Frequently asked questions

Recommended reading

• Dried lemon – a raw material of ripe lemon
• Dried Mandarin – a citrus dried fruit
• Dried Natsumikan Peel – a citrus-peel raw material
• Dried Vegetables and Dried Fruit List
• List of powders