What is orange zest? Lemon zest - what is it? Harm and benefits of lemon zest

Before eating an orange, remove the zest from it. This thin peel is useful in the kitchen, bathroom, medicine cabinet, and even in the country house. It turns out that citrus top coat can be used almost anywhere!

And even this is not an exhaustive list of uses for orange peel. It is almost universal, you just have to use your imagination!

There is an opinion that the zest is used only in cooking. However, this is far from the case. I want to offer you interesting ways to use lemon zest - let it serve the purpose.

But first, let's figure out what this wonderful product is.

Zest (from cedro - citron) lemon (orange, tangerine) - this is the thin outer layer of the peel of a lemon (orange, tangerine), colored yellow (orange) and peeled from the white, loose underlying layer of the peel. It contains glandular containers containing essential oils, which have a pleasant aroma characteristic of citrus.

Lemon zest calories a is 16 kcal per 100 grams of product: K

• Calories, kcal:16
• Proteins, g: 0.9
• Fats, g: 0.1
• Carbohydrates, g: 3.0

How to get lemon zest?

It's easy to get fresh lemon zest yourself.

1. Firstly, those fruits that are sold in markets and supermarkets are treated with various substances- first with chemicals against pests, then with wax for extra shine. Therefore, thoroughly wash the lemons so that there is no dirt on them (preferably with a brush - in warm water), and scald them with boiling water. This is necessary so that the zest can be easily separated from the white layer located under the crust. If there are special marked stickers on the lemons, remove them so that no traces remain.

2. Wipe the lemon dry and cut off the top.

How to store lemon zest?

Method 1. Grated zest of a lemon, orange or tangerine can be stored, so the zest can be prepared for future use. The grated or thinly sliced ​​zest is dried well, placed in a glass or tin jar and tightly closed with a lid and stored in a dry place.

However, when using this method, the zest turns out to be of lower quality, since when grated, a white, loose subcortical layer is rubbed along with the zest, which should not be present in the finished powder. In addition, when rubbing, lemon juice and pulp may get in, in this case, when adding such zest to a dish, the bitter taste of lemon will be felt.

Method 2. Therefore, it is better to make lemon zest in a slightly different way. The zest is usually removed in a spiral with a sharp knife and then dried in a dry room on open surfaces covered with paper (to draw in excess moisture).
Dry all types of zest, spreading it in a thin layer on a flat plate on a white sheet of paper for 2-3 days at room temperature. A ventilated window sill or balcony is best for drying. Every day the zest must be turned over so that drying occurs evenly. The zest is considered ready when it becomes brittle.

After drying, the zest is ground into powder (or crushed) and stored in this form. You can grind the dry zest with your hands or with a spoon.

So, lemon peel is no less useful than the fruit itself and has very wide applications. Below I present to your attention some tips on “how to use lemon peel” in the household, in the kitchen and to maintain beauty and health. I hope that some of what I have collected is useful to you.

Use of zest for medicinal purposes
The benefits and harms of lemon zest lie in its composition, which is rich in fiber, potassium, carotene, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and beta-carotene.

*Prevention of oxidative processes
Lemon zest contains concentrated bioflavonoids - strong antioxidants. They remove free radicals that cause mutations in cells, resulting in premature aging, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, the benefits of lemon peel are known, as a product that can neutralize toxic compounds - carcinogens accumulated in the body.

*Anti-cancer properties
Regular addition of the peel to food can slow down the development of malignant tumors, in addition, it has antimicrobial properties.
Lemon peel inhibits the spread of cancer cells thanks to the flavonoids in its composition. The substance limonene has antitumor properties.
According to scientific research, people who consume lemons with the peel are much less likely to develop lung, colon and breast cancer.
Limonoids also promote apoptosis - the random death of foreign cells. The skin also contains a special easily digestible pectin, which slows down the development of skin, breast and prostate cancer.

In folk recipes, the benefits of lemon zest are widely used in the fight against bacterial and fungal infections, in the treatment of anemia, and in the prevention of thrombosis.

*Strengthening bones
The benefits of calcium for bones are undeniable. There is quite a lot of it in lemon peel. In combination with vitamin C, it prevents osteoarthritis, polyarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis.

*Cholesterol reduction
To keep your heart healthy, you need to monitor your blood cholesterol levels. Lemon peel contains a lot of polyphenols - flavonoids that reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol. Potassium regulates blood pressure, and vitamin C prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease.

*Against infections
The zest contains beneficial essential oils, citric acid, vitamins C, A, B, P. Therefore, the use of zest helps prevent and treat colds and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
The zest is a powerful antibacterial agent; it can be chewed during inflammatory processes in the throat and respiratory organs, especially with purulent sore throat.

*Oral hygiene
To avoid problems with gum disease (including gingivitis and bleeding), you need to include a sufficient amount of vitamin C in your diet, which is rich in lemon peel. This vitamin fights bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontitis.

*For digestion
The dietary fiber contained in the zest is beneficial for the digestive system. It improves intestinal motility and removes waste, treats constipation, eliminates gas formation and cramps in the intestines. Due to its remarkable properties, lemon peel is used in folk medicine for indigestion, dyspepsia, colic and vomiting.
It destroys putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines, eliminates bad breath and improves digestion.
Traditional medicine recipes recommend the zest for decreased appetite, insufficient formation of gastric juice, gallbladder diseases, and digestive disorders.

In addition, the benefits of lemon zest include its ability to: cleanse the liver, improve blood circulation, neutralize ear infections, make capillaries elastic, and prevent varicose veins.

*Zest for weight loss
Pectin, found in lemon peels, slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, helps fight excess weight and reduces appetite. It provides a long-lasting feeling of fullness and neutralizes cravings for sweets.

Due to the presence of citric acid in the product, lemon zest may be harmful for those who suffer from indigestion. It should not be used for ulcers, gastritis or enteritis. In addition, lemon zest is quite often harmful for allergy sufferers. It can trigger the appearance of hives.

Alchemy of love

The zest is a mild aphrodisiac. However, in combination with chocolate, honey, wine and spices such as cloves, cinnamon, ginger, mint, nutmeg, black pepper, the tonic properties of the zest are enhanced. So you can and should not skimp on seasoning food and drinks for love with zest!

Using lemon zest in food...

The zest bears the name of the fruit from which it is removed: lemon, orange, orange, grapefruit.

*Lemon zest It is most widely used in cooking around the world. It is added to a wide variety of dishes from meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cereals, cottage cheese and mushrooms: salads, cold soups (okroshka, beetroot soup), classic soups (cabbage soup, borscht, ukha), main hot dishes and side dishes for them. , as well as in aspic, jellies, casseroles, minced meat, gravies and sauces. Lemon zest, along with vanilla and cinnamon, is the number one spice for desserts and baked goods: muffins, biscuits, Easter cakes, charlottes, manna cakes, sweet puddings, ice cream.

*Orange and tangerine zest used primarily for flavoring confectionery, desserts and sweet sauces.

*Grapefruit zest It is used by gourmets in the same types of dishes as lemon zest, but gives them a more subtle, refined and strong aroma.

*Orange zest added to rice and cottage cheese dishes, sweet pastries, meat sauces, minced fish and poultry.

All types of zest are used in the preparation of marmalade, jam, jelly, compotes, mousses, jellies, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (rum, liqueurs, vodka, tinctures, etc.).

The zest will not add acid (as it will if you add slices of fruit), but it will provide a subtle aroma.
All types of zest belong to weak, mild spices, so zest can be consumed in larger doses than other spices. Use zest according to taste, measuring in teaspoons rather than grams, since zest is a delicate spice that does not drown out the taste of food.
The measure of the norm should be taste - the appearance of a bitter taste when crossing the limit of the permissible volume.
Add zest to hot dishes 3-5 minutes before cooking or after finishing cooking and let the dish sit for a few minutes under the lid.

Add the zest to all dishes in powdered ground form. The zest goes well with most spices and is part of the traditional oriental “Five Spice” seasoning along with coriander, cinnamon, cumin and black pepper. When preparing baked meat, ground dry zest can replace salt.

I will not give here culinary recipes that use lemon zest, but I will give several original ways to use it in food.

* Keep brown sugar flowable.
If your brown sugar is more refined, try adding a little lemon peel (removing all traces of zest first) to maintain its moisture and flow properties. (For all recipes using lemon peel, always make sure to thoroughly clean the surface to remove any dirt or wax.)

*By the way, if you don't like sour tea, but if you want to enjoy the lemon taste and aroma, add its zest to your tea, not lemon slices. Or even simpler: cut a small part of the peel from the lemon and put it in the brewed tea.

* Dried peel.
The lemon peel can be finely grated and it will retain all the lemon flavor. The peel can be used fresh, dried or frozen. (If you know you'll be harvesting the peel, it's easier to grate it while it's still on the lemon before squeezing out the juice.) To dry the peel, spread it in a thin layer on a towel and leave until completely dry, then pour it into a jar. To freeze peels, use a freezer container. Lemon peel is used in salads, marinades, baked goods, grain products, etc.

* Lemon sugar
Sugar with a fresh and pleasant lemon aroma - what could be better? In order to prepare this sugar, we will need: a plastic bag with a zipper, 2-3 cups of sugar and the fresh zest of several lemons.

I would like to note that the more zest, the richer the sugar will have a lemony taste and aroma. How to make lemon sugar: pour granulated sugar into a ziplock bag and add fresh zest there, mix well and leave for several hours in the open bag so that the sugar hardens a little (a couple of hours will be enough). Next, close the bag, shake the sugar properly and store it in a dry, dark place.

* Candied fruit.
You can also make candied fruits from grapefruit peels. Candied fruits are easy to prepare, because they are just candied peels, and you can eat them just like that, dipping them in melted chocolate, or adding them to cookies, candies or bread.

* Making cookies with lemon peel.
If you make the peel, be sure to add it to the cookies.
It will surprise you with its amazing taste!

* Lemon peel flagella.
Strips of lemon peel, which curl into flagella when dried, are good for use in cocktails, sparkling water or regular drinking water. Use a vegetable peeler or knife to prepare them, carefully removing the bitter white pulp.
These flagella can also be frozen in a container or bag.

* Preparation of lemon extract.
Make lemon peel flagella (above) and dry them, outer side down, on a plate for 3-4 days. Place them in a blender and grind until flour. Use as an extract in culinary recipes.

*Spicy salt
A very interesting recipe - spicy salt with lemon and a mixture of peppers. To prepare, we need: a third of a glass of dried pepper mixture (sold in any store), the zest of 4 lemons and a glass of salt.
Grate the zest as finely as possible. Mix with pepper and leave until dry and grind in a blender. Then mix the spices with salt (preferably sea salt) and pour into a hermetically sealed jar. Can be added to any dishes

* Preparing Lemon Pepper.
Mix the lemon extract (above) with freshly ground pepper.

* Olive oil infused with lemon zest
Olive oil infused with lemon zest is very simple to make: pour fresh lemon zest into a glass container, add oil and leave for two weeks in a dark place. It is better not to close the lid. Shake the zest from time to time. Next, strain the oil, first mashing the zest in a bottle of oil with the handle of a wooden spoon (so that all the essential oils come out). Store the strained lemon-olive oil in a glass bottle with a closed lid.

* Lemon tincture
A pleasant-tasting lemon tincture is another great way to use lemon zest. How to prepare: take the freshest zest of 6 lemons for 250 ml of vodka, mix these ingredients in a glass bottle, close tightly and leave to infuse for 4-6 weeks, depending on how rich the citrus taste is.

* Lemon zest in ice cubes
A great addition to drinks and cocktails, especially summer ones, would be a few ice cubes to which we add fine lemon zest. You can also cut the lemon peel into thin strips and freeze them to add to cocktails even without ice.

* Butter with zest and herbs
Mix dried or fresh herbs and finely grated lemon zest with butter (using a blender or just finely chop with a knife).
Place the mixture on one edge of a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a roll, compacting the butter thoroughly. Then place the paper-wrapped roll in the refrigerator for a few hours and the lemon zest spiced butter is ready to use.

In the house...

Lemon juice contains about 5-6% citric acid and a pH level between 2 and 3. This makes it
An ideal assistant in safely cleaning kitchen surfaces from scale and mineral stains.

* Removing greasy stains.
Greasey residue on pans? Are your hob burners covered in grease? If your kitchen has fallen victim to sautéing, try using lemon halves before resorting to toxic cleaners. Sprinkle a little salt (for abrasion) on half a lemon and rub it onto the greasy stain, then wipe the surface with a rag. (Be careful with marble surfaces or any other acid-sensitive surfaces).

* Lemon vinegar to remove stains and grease
All-purpose cleaner - lemon vinegar. It effectively removes various contaminants. Place the crushed peel in a glass container and fill it with vinegar, close the lid. After two weeks, strain and add water in a 50:50 ratio. You will receive a product that can clean almost everything. Lemon vinegar also has strong disinfectant properties.

* Cleaning the kettle or coffee maker.
To descale your kettle, fill it with water, add a handful of finely chopped lemon zest and place it on the fire. After boiling, let the kettle with this liquid sit for an hour, pour out the liquid and rinse the kettle well. To clean the coffee maker, you need to put ice, salt and lemon zest in it, shake it all well for a minute or two, shake it out and rinse the coffee maker. Everything will sparkle!

* Cleaning the microwave oven.
Cooking food in the microwave, especially unsuccessfully, usually leads to a rapid loss of cleanliness and appearance of the latter. The spots may look like dried pieces of cement. Before you reach for a chemical cleaner, try this: Add lemon zest to a microwave-safe bowl half filled with water. Turn the oven on full power for 5 minutes, allow the water to boil and the steam to condense on the sides of the microwave. Then simply take out the dishes and wipe off all that dirt with a damp cloth.

* Deodorizing the trash can.
You can also use lemon zest to deodorize the area with the most unpleasant odor - the trash can - and give the kitchen a fresh aroma. This, by the way, is a good last use of lemon after using any of the other tips.

* Polishing chrome surfaces.
Mineral deposits on a chrome faucet, as well as on other surfaces made of this metal, can be easily removed with lemon. Rub the surface with a squeezed lemon half, rinse and lightly polish with a soft cloth.

* Polishing copper surfaces.
Half a lemon dipped in salt or baking soda can be used to clean and freshen copper, brass and stainless steel cookware. Rub this half of a lemon onto the contaminated area and leave for 5 minutes. Then the dishes should be rinsed with warm water and polished dry.

* Cleaning a stainless steel sink.
Use the same method as for cleaning chrome surfaces.

* Insect repellent.
If uninvited guests have settled in your house - cockroaches, ants, moths, fleas - place the peel near the doors, window sills, in cracks and crevices.
These insects cannot stand the citrus smell.

* Making a scented air humidifier.
If in winter the air in your home is dried out by heating, lemon will again come to the rescue. Fill a bowl with water, add lemon zest to the water and place on the stove. After boiling, turn the heat to low and leave it like that for a while. The air will be humidified and filled with a fresh aroma.

* Refresh your cutting board.
Due to its low pH level, lemon has antibacterial properties, making it an excellent cleaner for many kitchen surfaces, including cutting boards. After disinfection, rub the surface of the board with half a lemon, leave for a few minutes and rinse.

For beauty...

* Use for skin.
You can add radiance to your skin. To do this, simply wipe the peel on your face. Citric acid stimulates cell regeneration, removes the stratum corneum, brightens and refreshes the skin.
Natural fruit acids also regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands and prevent acne. The activity of free radicals leads to the appearance of early signs of aging and age spots. Antioxidants in the zest help eliminate them.

* Acne treatment
The astringent properties of lemon peel and its antibacterial properties make it possible to perfectly clean pores, remove blackheads and get rid of oily shine.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (20 g),
• 1 teaspoon sugar (5 g),
• 2 tablespoons of cucumber juice (20 ml).

How to use:

• mix lemon zest, sugar and cucumber juice to a smooth paste,
• Apply to face and leave for 15 minutes,
• Rub the skin lightly in a circular motion, then rinse with cold water.

* Lightening age spots.
Many folk recipes advise using lemon zest to lighten age spots. To do this, place a small piece of lemon zest on the stain and leave for an hour.

* Skin softening
If you notice that your skin on your elbows, heels or knees has darkened and become dry, take advantage of the softening properties of lemon peel. Mix a little soda, zest and citrus juice, apply to problem areas and enjoy velvety skin.

* Soothes dry elbows.
Use half a lemon sprinkled with baking soda. Simply dip your elbow into the lemon and swirl it around for a few minutes, as if you were about to squeeze the juice out of it. Then rinse your elbows and wipe dry.

* Making a sugar scrub:
Mix half a cup of sugar with lemon zest and olive oil until you get the consistency of sour cream.
Wet your body skin in the shower, turn off the water and massage the mixture onto your skin, then rinse.

* Lemon peeling
Dead skin cells can be removed using alpha and beta hydroxyl acids found in lemon.
There are several recipes for making scrubs based on lemon zest, and some scrubs can be found ready-made in specialized stores.
You can make your own lemon peeling:

• Use a grater to grate the lemon zest.
• Place 100 g of sour cream and 5-8 drops of rosemary oil in a container with zest.
• Apply the mixture to the skin and rinse after 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to do this procedure 1-2 times a week.

* Strengthening nails
Use lemon zest, yellow side, to rub onto your nails.

* Nail whitener
If you notice that your nails have become yellowish and weak, then you can add some grated lemon zest to your clear polish or manicure base. Or you can rub fresh zest directly into the nail plate before painting.

Ingredients:

• zest of 1 lemon,
• clear varnish - 1 bottle.

How to use:

• grate the lemon zest and add to the bottle of varnish,
• Apply nail polish as usual.

Alternative method: Rub the white side of the peel onto your nail plates 2 times a day.

Interesting fact:

The zest was introduced into use as a spice only in the Middle Ages. Gourmets of Ancient Greece and Rome considered the zest unworthy of culinary use due to what they considered to be an unpleasant taste and smell.

And in Europe of the 12th-16th centuries, the zest was included not only in collections of recipes, but also in dream books. Seasoning dishes with zest in a dream, according to the interpretation, foreshadows selfless work for the benefit of others.
Based on materials from Kharovchane.rf, www.wmj.ru, www.shalafan.ru, pri-gotovim.ru

That, in fact, is all the tricks. You already knew all this, right?

Few who use lemon in cooking know how good lemon zest is. Not everyone knows that it not only has a pleasant taste and aroma, but is also a storehouse of vitamins. can be used in baked goods and desserts, as well as in salads or hot dishes. The main thing is to know how to zest a lemon. We will look at some useful tips and tricks in the article.

Lemon zest

What is it? This question may be asked by many inexperienced young housewives. The zest is actually a thin layer of citrus skin. The white pulp, which is located under the skin, is no longer considered zest and is not used in cooking because it is bitter. You can find ready-made lemon zest in grocery stores, but it is better to prepare it yourself, especially since there is absolutely nothing complicated about it.

How to prepare the zest?

For those who have no idea about lemon zest, the photographs will help you understand how to prepare it. To do this, you just need a fine grater or coffee grinder and you should rinse thoroughly, remove stickers, if any, and then scald with boiling water. This is necessary so that the zest comes off better. Then the skin is cut off in a thin layer and left to dry. When it dries and becomes brittle, it needs to be ground into powder (the easiest way to do this is with a blender or coffee grinder). This zest can be stored in a jar for quite a long time and used as needed. However, fresh zest is also added to baked goods. To do this, use a grater to carefully remove the top layer from the lemon and add the resulting shavings to the dough. To make the zest easier to remove, you can keep the lemon in the freezer for a while. But you also need to understand when lemon zest is used that it is not only an amazing aroma and exquisite taste, but also an undoubted benefit to the body.

Useful properties

Lemon zest has a whole range of beneficial properties and has a beneficial effect on the human body. It helps maintain a healthy skeletal system as it contains large amounts of calcium and vitamin C. In addition, the zest helps prevent diseases such as arthritis or rheumatism. Being a source of bioflavonoids, lemon peel helps remove various toxic substances from the body, which are extremely harmful because they increase the likelihood of developing alcohol dependence and overeating. An equally interesting, but not particularly well-known fact about lemon zest is the possibility of its use for the prevention of cancer. The zest also lowers cholesterol levels, improves heart function, normalizes blood pressure, and prevents the development of diabetes.

Lemon zest can be used as an additional aid to maintain oral hygiene and health as it helps combat bleeding gums. And this is not all the amazing properties of lemon zest. It helps to lose weight, helps cleanse the liver and fight swelling. Therefore, to the question: “Lemon zest - what is it?” we can safely answer that this is not only an indispensable ingredient for many dishes, but also an excellent remedy that can be used to heal and strengthen the body.

Lemon zest is one of the most commonly found ingredients in culinary recipes and is probably the most confusing to many. What is lemon zest and what is it eaten with?

What is lemon zest and where is it used?

“The zest (from cedro - citron) of a lemon (orange, tangerine) is the thin outer layer of the peel of a lemon (orange, tangerine), colored yellow (orange). Where essential oils are located, they have a pleasant aroma characteristic of citrus.

Lemon (orange, tangerine) zest is added to various culinary products (pies, jam, cookies, cakes, puddings and muffins), meat dishes and fish. And also in tea. The zest will not add acid (as it will if you add slices of fruit), but it will provide a subtle aroma.

How to get zest from a lemon (orange, tangerine) with photo

Let me remind you that the zest is the topmost layer of citrus fruit, painted in a bright color.

First, wash the lemon (orange, tangerine) thoroughly. Preferably with a brush. Wipe dry. And cut off the top of it.

Is it possible to store lemon (orange, tangerine) zest?

Grated zest of lemon, orange or tangerine can be stored. To do this, the grated zest is dried. Then put it in a glass or tin container. The main condition for the zest to be stored for a long time is that it must be tightly closed with a lid. And then store in a dry place, excluding moisture.