How to Zest a Citrus Fruit

Use a zester to get strips of lemon peel.

Add a kick of flavor to meals with a zest of lemon, lime or orange. The zest is the colored part of the peel, which contains oils that are pungent and flavorful. A variety of tools allow you to zest fruit easily and to the desired size. Whatever method you use to zest citrus, avoid the white portion underneath the zest, which is bitter.

Things You'll Need

• Zester
• Grater
• Lemon, lime or orange

Instructions

1. Use a zester, a metal tool with loops on the end, to create long tendrils of zest. Scrape the loops gently along the skin of the fruit, taking care not to scrape the white pith.

2. Purchase a box grater if you want smaller pieces of zest. Simply rub the peel on the grater and small pieces of zest will drop into your dish. Use a spoon to scoop off any clinging pieces of zest.

3. Use a simple paring knife to scrape the zest from the fruit. Gently scrape the skin -- avoiding the white pith -- until you have enough zest, then drop it into your recipe.

References

• Food Network: How to Zest Citrus