How do you peel citrus fruits (like lemon or orange) while preserving the zest?

Question

Learn how to peel citrus without taking the bitter pith. Get the technique for preserving the valuable zest for all your flavor-packed recipes.

Answer 1

Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the citrus fruit *before* peeling. Then, carefully peel the fruit with a paring knife or your fingers, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Detailed Explanation:

Preserving the zest while peeling citrus fruits requires a two-step process. First, you need to remove the zest, which is the flavorful outer layer of the peel. The best tool for this is a microplane or a fine grater. Gently run the citrus fruit across the microplane, rotating it as you go, until you've removed the desired amount of zest. Be careful not to press too hard, as you only want the colored part of the peel and not the white pith underneath, which is bitter.

Once you've zested the fruit, you can proceed to peel it. The goal here is to remove the peel (including the pith) without damaging the fruit segments. You can use a paring knife to carefully cut away the peel, working from top to bottom. Alternatively, if the peel is loose enough, you can try peeling it with your fingers. Start by making a small incision with your fingernail or a knife and then gently pull the peel away from the fruit. Again, try to minimize the amount of pith you remove along with the peel.

Pro Tip:

For easier peeling, especially with thicker-skinned citrus fruits like oranges, try rolling the fruit firmly on a countertop before zesting. This helps to loosen the peel from the fruit, making it easier to remove after you've zested it.