How to Zest a Lemon (or Other Citrus)
To make the most of orange peel, lemon peel, or lime peel’s flavor, you should avoid any of the fruit’s white membrane, which can add unwanted bitterness to your dish.
How to Shred Citrus Peel with a Microplane Zester
Chefs and home cooks put a woodworking tool called a Microplane ($16, Target) to use for easily making lemon zest and other citrus zest. A Microplane zester allows you to shred tiny, uniform pieces of peel faster and with less pressure than a regular grater or citrus zester. Bonus: It also can be used to create fine shreds of chocolate or fresh ginger. Best for: Using a Microplane zester to grate citrus peel into such tiny pieces works best for recipes such as cakes, soups, breads, blended into a gremolata, and other uses where it serves as a flavor boost only, not a visual element.
How to Zest Citrus Without a Grater
Looking to zest an orange without a grater or Microplane? Simply use a vegetable peeler ($11, Target), paring knife, or citrus peeler to remove the outermost colored peel in long strips. Try to avoid digging into the fruit so deeply that you cut into the white underskin surrounding the fruit; cut off only the top, colored layer of the peel. From there, use the following steps to achieve the citrus zest you need for your recipe: Best for: Use citrus zest removed with a vegetable peeler or knife to garnish cocktails or desserts. The larger pieces make for pretty presentation.
How to Store Lemon Zest and Other Citrus Peels
If you have a leftover lemon zest or a handful of orange peel after eating one for a snack, you don’t have to toss it. Tightly covered in a jar or airtight container, zest will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Don’t let the fruit go to waste! Use our tips for sectioning citrus so you’ll have both the delicious fruit and zest for salads, desserts, and more.
