Grating citrus zest

Zest is the outer part of a citrus fruit's peel, and a zester or grater produces the small shavings most recipes need. A culinary glossary defines zesting as removing the outermost skin layers of citrus fruit using a knife, peeler or zester, and defines grating as reducing a large piece of food to coarse or fine threads by rubbing it against a rough, serrated surface.

The key is to take only the very outer peel and leave the white pith underneath, which may be bitter.

Zest carries the fruit's aromatic character, so a little adds bright flavor to cakes, cookies, curds and frostings without adding extra liquid. Grating over a bowl or sheet of paper keeps every shaving.