Zester

Zester is a kitchen utensil used for obtaining zest from citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and limes. Zest is the outer, colored part of the peel of a citrus fruit, which contains the fruit's essential oils and provides a strong flavor.

History

The zester was invented in the 20th century, as a specialized tool for removing the zest from citrus fruits. Prior to this, cooks would use a knife or a grater, but these tools often removed the bitter white pith along with the zest. The zester was designed to remove only the flavorful colored part of the peel, leaving the pith behind.

Design and Use

A typical zester is a handled tool with a metal head that has small cutting holes. The holes are designed to cut the zest away from the fruit in long, thin strips. Some zesters also have a channel knife on the side, which can be used to cut larger strips of zest for garnishing dishes.

To use a zester, the cook presses the cutting holes against the fruit and pulls the tool across the peel. The zest is cut away and collected in the holes, from where it can be easily removed.

Variations

There are several variations of the zester, including the microplane and the citrus reamer. The microplane is a long, flat tool with a surface covered in tiny, sharp teeth. It removes the zest in very fine shreds, which can be used to add a subtle flavor to dishes. The citrus reamer is a tool used to extract the juice from citrus fruits, but it often has a zester built into the handle.

See Also

• Kitchen utensil
• Citrus
• Zest
• Microplane
• Citrus reamer