Rinse
As citrus peel is consumed raw and may contain traces of pesticide, it’s best to purchase organic fruits. In all cases, we recommend washing them well before zesting them. Do it even if the fruits are grown without chemical agents, considering that they’ve been manipulated, probably a few times, at the grocery store.
Rinse unpeeled fruit under cold water by scrubbing the peel, which contains the essential oils that appeal so much to our taste buds.
Zest
Even if a zester is the perfect tool to collect the peel, it’s still possible to do it with a peeler or a grater. Remove a layer at the surface only. The white layer, called pith or mesocarp, is fairly bitter.
Freeze
You’ve got more zest than you need for your recipe? No problem! Citrus zest freezes very well. First, freeze the peel flat on a baking sheet, ensuring the strips don’t touch, then transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
Lemon, lime, orange: Here are 4 recipes, from cocktail to dessert, made with the zest of these citrus fruits.