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How to Zest a Lime (The Best Way!)

How to zest a lime
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Wondering the easy way to make lime zest to add tangy flavor to recipes? Here are the best methods for how to zest a lime. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Wash the lime and dry it. Then use one of the zesting methods below:
  2. Microplane: Hold the microplane in one hand, place one end on a flat surface and hold it at an angle. Hold the lime in the other hand, and drag it down over the microplane holes. Remove the colored part of the skin only (not the pith). Gradually turn the lime until all sides are zested.
  3. Fine grater: Do the same as the microplane, using the finest holes on your box grater.
  4. Peeler: Use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel off large pieces of the colored part of the skin only, dragging from the top to the bottom (not the pith). Then use a knife to mince the peel into very small pieces.

Notes

Note: This method yields fine zest for using in recipes (not cocktail garnishes). To zest a lime for a cocktail garnish, make a twist following the instructions in How to Make a Lemon Twist.