When I first started baking, I didn’t even know what zesting meant let alone how to do it. Many recipes would ask for zest, but none explained how to zest a lemon. I am a big proponent of using fresh fruits and vegetables in baking for flavor. However, I soon realized I didn’t have any tutorials on how to zest oranges or any fruit for that matter. You could be just where I was years ago and don’t know where to start and have zero knowledge about zesting citrus fruits. Perhaps you don’t even know how to juice a lemon or an orange? That is totally okay as we are all beginners originally.
So, If you want to learn how to zest, this is the right place for you. It’s a simple process and you can zest a lemon with a box grater. However, I highly recommend getting an actual zester as they are easier to control, faster and much safer to use.
First thing you’ll want to do is get a fresh and firm fruit. The older fruits can still be zested, but they are more difficult. This is because the skin is more relaxed and you are more prone to slipping. Grating your knuckles isn’t a pleasant experience, trust me. If all you have is a softer fruit or the fruit is a naturally pliable such as a tangelo, then just take it slow. Small, even pressure will keep you safe. Oranges are my favorite to practice on when learning about zesting citrus fruits. They are easier to handle, zest nicely and are safest as they are held at a greater distance away from the grates.
I’ll walk you through with a pictorial explanation and will be also provide a video tutorial. By the time you finish this, you will have learned how to zest limes, lemons, oranges and other fruits quite easily.
But first, let’s talk about why you want to use that zest. The smell. The very first time you zest a lemon, you’ll be surprised at how much fragrance will be released into the air. This is a wonderful way to enhance any dish. It lets the nose tell your palate what to expect. It intensifies the flavor just by preparing you for the taste through smell.
Second, zest has loads of flavor. This is a cheap way to flavor a dish without spending money on extracts and the like. A fresh lemon can make an extraordinary cake. You’ll get a sharp flavor without a lot of effort or cash.
Finally, there is presentation. You can use lemon or orange zest as a garnish. Also bits of it within the cake batter is a pleasant surprise to the guest. It’s a great way to show that you made the cake with natural ingredients as opposed to artificial ones. Simply, it just makes for a pretty cake. So let’s get zesting!
Start out with clean and dried fruit. And wash your hands well. 
If you don’t hold it by the blossom ends (the points), you are prone to slipping and it takes longer to zest. 
Use the points like this. It will help keep the fruit firmly in your grasp. 
Zest just until you see a lighter skin. If it turns to white, it can be bitter. Just adjust your pressure to be lighter. 
Expect about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of zest from a large lemon. 
Same applies to the orange. Hold by the blossom end, or points. 
Small even pressure is all that is needed. 
Again, stop at the change when the rind is gone and before you see white (the pith.) The orange pith isn’t bitter like lemons, it’s purely decorative. 
You’ll get about 1 tablespoon of zest from an orange. I only needed a teaspoon so I stopped. 
To juice, roll the fruit with some pressure first. It softens it and makes it easier to squeeze. 
Just a few rolls work. 
Make sure you are working with clean hands and slice in half. 
Squeeze firmly, yet gently. Too fast and juice will go everywhere. You can also use a juicer, but this is faster for me. 
You’ll see very little left behind. Seeds might drop in juice, so strain them or pick them out carefully. 
Repeat for the orange. 
Squeeze slowly at first to prevent juice flying across the floor. Trust me. 
Between the medium lemon and 1/2 of an orange, expect around 100 mL of juice (just over 1/3 cup.)
Now that you have learned how to zest and juice, perhaps you’d like to try out our orange lovers cake? If you need more help, watch this brief tutorial. It will show you how to zest and use a manual juicer as shown in some of the photos above. Happy baking!
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