Citrus reamer facts for kids

A traditional glass citrus reamer

A plastic Ahoi lemon juicer from German producer Koziol [de], inspired by paper boats and designed by the Italian architect Paolo Pedrizzetti.

A wooden handheld lemon reamer

A citrus reamer is a small kitchen tool. People also call it a lemon reamer or just a reamer. Its main job is to help you get all the yummy juice out of fruits like lemons and limes. It's a simple but clever device that makes juicing easy!

What is a Citrus Reamer?

A citrus reamer has a special pointy part called a mandrel. This part looks like a cone. It has grooves or ridges all along its side. These grooves help to grab the fruit's flesh and squeeze out the juice.

Materials and Types

The pointy mandrel part is usually made from wood, plastic, or metal. Reamers come in different styles:

• Handheld reamers: You hold this type in one hand. You hold the fruit in your other hand. Then you twist the reamer into the fruit. These are quite new.
• Tabletop reamers: These are older types. They often have a dish at the bottom to catch the juice. You place the reamer on a table and press the fruit down onto it.

How to Use a Citrus Reamer

Using a reamer is super simple! Here are the steps:

• First, cut your citrus fruit, like a lemon or lime, in half. Cut it across the middle, not lengthwise.
• Next, take one half of the fruit. Push the reamer's pointy part into the fruit's juicy flesh.
• Then, twist! You can twist the reamer or twist the fruit. This action grinds the fruit's flesh. It helps to release all the juice.
• As you twist, the seeds and some of the white "pith" (the spongy part under the peel) might come out. You might want to strain the juice before you use it. Some tabletop reamers have a strainer built right in!

Best Fruits for Reamers

Reamers work best for smaller citrus fruits. Lemons and limes are perfect for them. If you have a bigger fruit, like a grapefruit, you might need a larger juicing tool.