Definition

Noun: 1. The outermost, colored part of a lemon peel, typically removed in fine shreds or grated: This refers specifically to the flavorful, aromatic, oil-rich skin of a lemon, excluding the bitter white pith beneath it. It is used as a culinary ingredient.

Usage

Lemon zest is used to add a concentrated, bright citrus flavor and aroma to both sweet and savory dishes. It is incorporated into recipes, not typically consumed alone.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for one tablespoon of fresh lemon zest.
  • She garnished the cake with a sprinkle of lemon zest.
  • The secret to the dressing is a bit of lemon zest.

Advanced Usage

• "To zest a lemon": This is the verb form describing the action of obtaining lemon zest, usually with a grater or a special tool called a zester.
  • Remember to zest the lemon before you juice it.

Variants and Related Words

• Zest (noun): Can refer to the peel of other citrus fruits (e.g., orange zest, lime zest). More broadly, it can mean great enthusiasm and energy.
• Zest (verb): The action of scraping or cutting the zest from citrus fruit.
• Lemon peel (noun): The entire skin of the lemon, which includes both the zest (outer layer) and the pith (white inner layer).

Synonyms

• Lemon rind: Often used interchangeably, though "rind" can sometimes imply the entire peel, including more pith.
• Citrus zest: A more general term.

Notes on Meaning

The term 'lemon zest' specifically denotes the flavorful, colored part of the peel. It is distinct from: * Lemon juice: The liquid from the fruit's interior. * Lemon pith: The bitter, white spongy layer between the zest and the fruit flesh, which is avoided when zesting.

Noun

1. tiny bits of lemon peel