Zest (ingredient)

Zests are paper- thin strips of the outermost, colored layer of the peel of citrus fruits or vegetables.

They are mainly used for decorating desserts ( citrus zest ) or fine soups and casseroles ( Gemüsezesten ) used. Citrus fruit zest are useful for flavoring baked goods, sauces and beverages, since the wafer- thin shell strip are free of the bitter -containing, white shell. For the extraction of zest only untreated and unwaxed citrus fruit should be used as organic citrus. In addition, the fruit or the vegetable should first be washed hot and dried with paper towels, or similar.

To prepare the zests, a zester ( zester ) are used; a small kitchen tool, the blade of which is provided with sharp-edged holes. Alternatively, very thin shell strips can be peeled with a sharp vegetable peeler, which are then cut on a cutting board with a chef's knife into very fine julienne -style strips.