Connecting with Citrus Nielsen Massey Review and Giveaway Concluded

Update: This giveaway is closed.

There’s an undeniable allure and refreshing quality that citrus fruits bring to our culinary landscape. As summer temperatures soar and appetites sometimes wane, the vibrant zest and juicy sweetness of citrus become particularly inviting. Imagine a tall, frosty glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, instantly quenching thirst and invigorating the senses. Or perhaps a scoop of aromatic, lemon-infused ice cream, offering a delightful tang amidst the sweetness. And who could resist biting into a succulent blood orange, feeling the burst of ruby-red juice with every delicious mouthful? Without a doubt, I am an enthusiastic advocate for citrus, and I’m always eager to share my passion for these incredible fruits.

Incorporating citrus into your cooking is a fantastic way to elevate both savory and sweet dishes, adding layers of complex flavor and brightness. Regular readers of this blog will know that citrus features prominently in many of my recipes, serving as a cornerstone for both zest and juice (for a taste, check out this delightful example). However, despite my love for fresh ingredients, obtaining fresh citrus from the grocery store isn’t always feasible. Life often throws unexpected challenges our way. Perhaps the summer heat is so oppressive that the thought of venturing out becomes unbearable, or family responsibilities demand your undivided attention, making a trip to the store simply impossible. This is precisely when the convenience and reliability of citrus extracts from your spice cabinet truly shine!

Recently, experiencing a period of being comfortably housebound – partly due to the scorching Chicagoland heat and largely thanks to the delightful new addition to our family – I can wholeheartedly attest to the immense value of a well-stocked extract collection. My own assortment of citrus extracts has fortunately grown, especially after being contacted by Nielsen-Massey with an invitation to review a product from their exciting new line of organic offerings. Having previously collaborated with Nielsen-Massey (you can find my earlier reviews here and here), and as a fervent admirer of all things lemon, I was naturally eager to explore their latest innovation: the Nielsen-Massey Organic Pure Lemon Extract. What follows is my comprehensive and honest review of this promising new kitchen staple.

Nielsen-Massey’s newly unveiled collection of organic pure extracts boasts four distinct and certified organic flavors: almond, lemon, orange, and peppermint. Each extract is meticulously crafted using only the finest organic ingredients, upholding Nielsen-Massey’s reputation for quality. The Organic Pure Lemon Extract, in particular, is a masterful blend of California lemon oil, further enhanced by subtle peel notes, designed to deliver an authentic and potent lemon flavor. According to Nielsen-Massey, this extract offers “a convenient and tasty alternative to having to zest or juice lemons,” providing an effortless way to infuse a bright, tangy essence into a wide array of both sweet and savory culinary creations.

Intrigued by the promise of such versatility, I was keen to put this lemon extract to the test in diverse culinary applications. To truly gauge its performance and adaptability, I decided to feature it in two distinct dishes: one savory and one sweet. For my savory experiment, I selected a recipe directly from the Nielsen-Massey website that I knew my husband (DH) would thoroughly enjoy: Easy Stove Top Tikka Masala Style Chicken. This choice was a delightful “blast from the past” for me; I used to prepare this dish frequently during our time living in the UK, but it had, for some inexplicable reason, fallen out of my cooking rotation since our move to Chicago. The original recipe called for conventional lemon extract, but I confidently substituted it with the organic variety. The result was nothing short of a resounding success. A single teaspoon of the Organic Pure Lemon Extract proved to be the perfect counterpoint, effectively cutting through the richness of the dense, heavy cream and tomato-based sauce. More importantly, it infused the chicken with an incredibly vibrant, zesty flavor that elevated the entire dish. I found the inclusion of the lemon extract in this savory context to be both appropriate and truly inspired, and this straightforward, simple recipe has unequivocally earned a permanent spot in my culinary repertoire.

Moving on to the sweet side of my culinary exploration, I revisited one of the most beloved and consistently crowd-pleasing recipes ever featured on this blog: éclairs! I have an unwavering devotion to the pastry cream recipe used in these éclairs; its exceptional quality is a significant reason why I prepare it so frequently (I even incorporated it into a dessert I created for Mother’s Day not long ago). For this particular test, I decided to make two portions of éclairs, effectively doubling the quantities for both the choux pastry and the luscious pastry cream. Into the latter, I incorporated a generous 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Organic Pure Lemon Extract. The transformation was immediate and remarkable; the cream acquired a truly delightful flavor and an exquisite perfume. It tasted unequivocally of real lemons, a stark and refreshing contrast to the often artificial or synthetic flavors found in some other extracts on the market. My primary goal was to achieve authenticity in both taste and aroma, and Nielsen-Massey’s extract exceeded my expectations, delivering a truly genuine lemon experience.

My enthusiasm for this exceptional lemon extract was so profound that it inspired me to take its application a step further. To perfectly complement the éclairs, I decided to create a vibrant cherry compote, a summery addition that would beautifully showcase the extract’s versatility. The compote was prepared with a simple yet effective combination: 2 cups of pitted cherries, 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and, crucially, 1 teaspoon of the lemon extract. The extract introduced a bright, zesty counterpoint to the sweetness of the cherries, enhancing their natural flavor profile without overpowering it. I wholeheartedly recommend this cherry compote as an ideal, seasonally appropriate accompaniment to the éclairs – and, of course, as yet another superb way to integrate the organic pure lemon extract into your home cooking and baking.

From start to finish, I thoroughly savored the bright, zesty taste and exquisite perfume that the Nielsen-Massey Organic Pure Lemon Extract imparted. Not only did my savory and sweet dishes gain an additional layer of nuanced flavor and a delightful burst of freshness, but this experience also served to highlight the broader versatility and potential of high-quality flavor extracts. It genuinely reignited my desire to continue experimenting with various extracts in my future culinary endeavors, opening up new avenues for creativity in the kitchen. As a wonderful added bonus, I was able to achieve these delicious results without having to brave the sweltering outdoor temperatures. I remained comfortably indoors, cooking and baking, all while enjoying precious moments with my newborn – and truly, that’s the best bonus of all, transforming ordinary cooking into a joyful and stress-free experience.

To celebrate the launch of this fantastic product and to give our readers a chance to experience its magic, Nielsen-Massey is generously offering Chicago Loves Panini readers the opportunity to win one bottle of their Organic Pure Lemon Extract. This is your chance to recreate the aforementioned delectable recipes in your own kitchen and discover the difference authentic lemon flavor can make.

*Disclaimer: While I received a complimentary product from Nielsen-Massey to facilitate this review, all opinions and culinary observations expressed herein are entirely my own and reflect my honest experience.