Prepare Fresh Citrus Fruit Peel

Zesting a citrus fruit (lemons, limes, grapefruits or oranges) is an easy cooking project if you have a zester or a microplane. Both can be found at a cooking store or ordered online. A vegetable peeler or knife can also be used to zest the peel. Here are some tips on how to zest a citrus fruit and save the zest for later use.

Steps

 * 1)  [[Image:Zestorange2.jpg|thumb|A fresh, organic orange.]]Choose a fruit that is free of pesticides, dyes, and wax (since you will be eating the outer peel). If at all possible, start with an organic orange, lemon, or other citrus fruit. While some authorities recommend the use of organic citrus fruit, it is difficult to find. Thoroughly washing and drying the fruit should make the fruit safe to eat. If there is a concern, shop for organic citrus fruit.
 * 2)  [[Image:Zestorange3.jpg|thumb|Wash and dry the fruit.]]Wash and dry the fruit thoroughly, whether it is organic or not.  Cut out any discolorations or bad spots.
 * 3)  [[Image:Zestorange5.jpg|thumb|Pull the zester across the orange peel.]]Hold the zester in your hand, much like a vegetable peeler, while applying pressure to the fruit. Pull the the zester across the surface and the zest will appear.
 * 4)  [[Image:Parma 7786.jpg|thumb|A microplane, used here for grating Parmesan cheese.]]Adopt the same basic technique if using a microplane. A microplane is like a grater. Pull it across the fruit to separate the zest.
 * 5)  Try the old-fashioned method for grating zest. If you do not have a zester or microplane, take a vegetable peeler and peel the citrus rind. Once the peel is removed, finely mince the zest using a knife. The food processor can also mince the peel, if a food processor is available.
 * 6) Freeze the zest. Once the citrus fruit peel has been zested, freeze it in small freezer storage bags or containers. The zest is available for later cooking.
 * 7)  [[Image:Zestorange6.jpg|thumb|Spread the zest on waxed [[Make Paper|paper]] to dry.]]Alternatively, dry the zest.  Spread it in a single layer on a plate or waxed paper and leave it exposed to the air until it is dry enough to be brittle (a couple of days).  
 * 8)  [[Image:Zestorange7.jpg|thumb|Store the zest in a jar for later use.]]Store the dried zest it in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place.

Tips

 * [[Image:Zestorange1.jpg|thumb|Layers of [[Prepare Fresh Citrus Fruit Peel|skin on an orange.]]]]Try to avoid the white pith. It is bitter. Instead, take just the bright orange or yellow layer on the very outside.
 * Orange zest is great in mulled cider, as an accompaniment to chocolate, and many other dishes. Also try it in tea, cakes, or as an addition to Apple Pie Oatmeal. It's good anywhere you want a hint of citrus.
 * Grinding or crushing orange zest before adding it to food can help to bring out the flavor.
 * Zest the fruit before eating or juicing it. It's much easier to hang onto the entire fruit.
 * The best tool is a microplane or grater, one with small blades that running your finger against them will not produce a negative effect.

Warnings

 * The zesting tool can be sharp, so be careful.

Things You'll Need

 * Citrus fruit
 * [[Image:Zestorange4.jpg|thumb|A citrus zester and a vegetable peeler.]]Zester, microplane, or grater
 * Vegetable peeler and kitchen knife

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Orange Julius
 * How to Make Grilled Lemon Chicken
 * How to Make a Key Lime Martini
 * How to Make Bouquet Garni

Sources and Citations

 * Advice on drying citrus peel
 * http://www.sunkist.com/products/buying_storing_handling.asp