How to Zest a Lemon

Lemon zest is a flavoring ingredient that adds a burst of lemon flavor to recipes. Zesting a lemon can be tricky, but we will show you how to zest lemons correctly here.

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword lemon

Prep Time 3

Total Time 3

Servings serving

Calories 31.3kcal

Ingredients

1 Lemon

Instructions

To Zest with a pairing knife

Wash the fresh lemon and pat dry with a paper towel
Hold the lemon in one hand over a bowl or cutting board. Then peel off the outer yellow rind towards yourself with the pairing knife.
After that, finely julienne the peel with a Chef's knife. Make sure you keep your fingers safe.

To Zest with a Microplane:

Wash the fresh lemon and pat dry with a paper towel
Place the Microplane over a cutting board, wide plate, or bowl. Then run the lemon back and forth over the Microplane.
Rotate the fruit constantly in all directions using a light touch.
Make sure your fingers are correctly placed as you move it back and forth.
Keep zesting the lemon until the entire yellow part is removed.

To Zest with a Vegetable Peeler:

Wash the fresh lemon and pat dry with a paper towel
Place the lemon on the sharp edges of the vegetable peeler, and push slightly into the fruit.
Pull down gently to the other end
Repeat this process on each side until you zest the entire lemon.

Notes

Choose a brightly colored lemon. Ensure that it is plump, juicy, and spotless. A healthy lemon has no spots or discoloration.
Be careful not to zest the pith because it is bitter, except it becomes flavorful through candying.
You will know that the pith is being zested when you start seeing lemon juice dripping out.
The zester is sharp, be careful with your fingers as you zest.

Nutrition