Learn How to Zest an Orange easily using a Microplane, zester, and box grater. Orange zest can be frozen and is perfect for drinks, baked goods, and more!
Orange zest is full of flavor and you’re most likely throwing that flavor away and you didn’t even realize it! Before you enjoy your next orange simply zest the orange before you enjoy it!
WHAT IS ORANGE ZEST?
Orange zest is the exterior of the orange. It’s a darker color than the pith and orange flesh inside. The orange zest is full of flavor and contains essential oils so the smell is incredible in addition to the flavor it packs. Zest adds flavor to food whether it’s drinks or baked goods.
Once you zest an orange you have a perfectly good orange left behind, albeit it’s a bit softer since you’re mostly holding the pith, but it’s a delicious orange nonetheless.
We always purchase citrus fruits when we plan to eat the peel, zest, or juice our citrus.
HOW TO ZEST AN ORANGE
- Microplaine: Hold the orange in one hand and the microplane in another. Place the microplane against the orange and slice it down gently to remove the zest. Keep going until you have the desired amount of zest.
- Box Grate: Just like you would grate cheese or potatoes, move the orange up and down against the box grater carefully until you have the desired amount of dest.
- Citrus Ribbon Zester: Place the peeler against the orange and carefully put pressure on the orange peel it downward. Repeat until you have all the citrus ribbons you need.
FAQs
One orange will produce about 2-3 tablespoons of zest.
The soft white part of the orange is called the pith. This is edible, but it’s not tasty, instead, it’s rather bitter. Only zest the exterior orange color and stop before you hit the pith.
We refrigerate orange zest for 2-3 days or freeze orange zest for about 2 months.
ORANGE RECIPES
How to Zest an Orange
Ingredients
- 1 orange
Instructions
- Microplaine: Hold the orange in one hand and the microplane in another. Place the microplane against the orange and slice it down gently to remove the zest. Keep going until you have the desired amount of zest.
- Box Grater: Just like you would grate cheese or potatoes, move the orange up and down against the box grater carefully until you have the desired amount of dest.
- Citrus Ribbon Zester: Place the peeler against the orange and carefully put pressure on the orange peel it downward. Repeat until you have all the citrus ribbons you need.
- Peeler: Alternatively you can also use a peeler in a pinch to peel the orange zest and then chop it up on your cutting board with a knife.
Nutrition
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.
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