Zest
Knife work & mechanical
Cutting and shaping without heat.
01At a glance
CategoryKnife work & mechanical
Taste impactNeutral
Texture—
02How to do it
- 1Wash and dry the citrus.
- 2Run a zester or fine grater over only the colored skin.
- 3Rotate the fruit to avoid the bitter white pith.
- 4Use the zest promptly for the brightest aroma.
03Doneness & pitfalls
Doneness cues
- Fine, fragrant, colored shavings with no white pith attached.
Common mistakes
- Digging into the pith makes it bitter.
- Zesting ahead loses the volatile aromas.
- Pressing too hard tears rather than shaves.