How to Zest Citrus Correctly
Zesting is the removal of the outermost, colorful layer of a citrus fruit peel while avoiding the bitter white pith beneath. Using a microplane for fine wisps or a channel knife for strips, work in light strokes across the fruit, rotating the citrus frequently to ensure you only collect the fragrant oils from the zest.
Clean the skin and watch the pith.
Always scrub the fruit surface to remove any wax or debris before zest extraction. If you hit white pith, you have gone too deep and introduced a harsh bitterness that will overwhelm your drink.
- Microplane zester
- Channel knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Sharp paring knife
What goes in.
- 1Organic lemon, lime, or orange, washed and dried
Stop before the white
Keep your grip loose and your movement shallow. You are harvesting the oils stored in the colored skin, not peeling the fruit.
The method.
Wash and dry the fruit
Use warm water and a clean cloth to remove any wax or dirt. Dry the skin thoroughly so the zest doesn't clump or slide off your tool.
For fine zest
Hold the microplane steady over a bowl. Run the fruit lightly over the blade, rotating it with each stroke to avoid reaching the white pith.
For strips or twists
Use a channel knife to dig a shallow groove, or a vegetable peeler for wider strips. If using a peeler, scrape off any remaining white pith from the back of the strip with a paring knife.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Zest your fruit before you juice it; it is nearly impossible to zest a soft, squeezed fruit.
Place a piece of parchment paper under the microplane to easily gather every bit of zest.
If you have leftover zest, freeze it in a small airtight container for future use in syrups or infusions.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use a standard box grater?
It is not recommended. Box graters are usually too coarse and will tear the fruit skin, resulting in large, uneven pieces that include too much bitter pith.
How do I know if I have gone too deep?
If you see white on the underside of your zest or the fruit looks like it has been shredded rather than shaved, you are applying too much pressure.
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