Lemon zest - what is it, recipes, benefits and harms. Grated lemon zest - what is it? What are the beneficial properties of lemon zest for the body?

19.01.202427.05.2017

The uses of lemon are very diverse - practically no one doubts this. But did you know that lemon zest is also an equally healthy product?

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) is a thin outer layer of lemon (orange, tangerine) peel, 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 the topic “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), it is necessary 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 sugar cravings.

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, soft 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 compared to 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 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 prepare 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 intense the citrus taste is needed.

* 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 well. Then place the roll in the paper in the refrigerator for a few hours and the spiced lemon zest 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 heat. 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 some baking 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?

The benefits of lemon zest in cooking are obvious: it adds the taste and aroma of citrus to a dish. Lemon is a common citrus fruit that can be found in almost any refrigerator. The use of lemon in cooking is quite wide. We add it to food, drinks, use it in households and make cosmetics from it. Most often, lemon recipes involve the use of pulp and juice, and we, without a twinge of conscience, throw the skins in the trash. But is it worth doing this?

Using lemon peel can help solve many small household problems. Below we will reveal 21 amazing ways to use lemon zest that the thrifty housewife will take note of. You will no longer throw away a single peel, as you will learn that they contain much more biologically active substances than the pulp of the fruit, as well as how they can be used in everyday life.

The benefits of lemon zest in the household

1. Cleaning surfaces from stains. The easiest uses for lemon peel are in the kitchen and bathroom. Lemon peels with baking soda will cope with minor stains on the sink and bathroom. Rub the surface with a soft peel of lemon and soda, then rinse with water to obtain a brilliant result.

2. Cleaning dishes. The citric acid that remains in citrus peels can be used as a freshener and disinfectant for dishes. Put a few lemon peels in the dishwasher and get fragrant and clean household utensils in return.

3. Cutting board freshness. Rub lemon zest on your cutting board to remove onion, garlic, or fish odors. The aromatizing properties of lemon zest are due to the presence of essential oils in it.

4. Air flavoring. The most common use of lemon in everyday life is as a natural flavoring. A few lemon peels left on the radiator, near the heater or on the windowsill will help improve the smell of the room.

6. Scare away stray cats. Did you know that cats are repelled by the smell of lemon? Exactly, because cats have a delicate sense of smell and they perceive aromas more keenly than humans. Place lemon peels evenly in your yard to prevent stray animals from invading your home.

7. Clean the microwave oven. Place the bowl of lemon zest and water in the microwave and heat the contents for 5 minutes. After the time has passed, wipe the oven walls with paper towels and enjoy the mirror-like result.

Lemon zest: beneficial properties for culinary purposes

8. The delicacy of the broth. Dry ground lemon zest is used in soups and broths to give the dish a concentrated, noble taste. Add zest powder at the end of cooking along with your usual seasonings, and appreciate the piquant note of the dish.

9. Universal seasoning. Make homemade seasoning for main courses and salads, which will become the highlight of your kitchen. Mix black pepper with floured lemon peels and use them instead of regular seasoning.

10. Spicy chicken in the oven. If before baking the chicken in the oven, rub it with lemon zest and put a few slices inside - this will give a wonderful smell to the meat and a delicious oriental taste.

11. Candied fruits instead of sweets. If you love sweets, but are trying to lose weight or eat healthy, sweets can be a good substitute for healthy candied lemon peels.

Benefits of lemon zest for beauty

12. Nail whitening. Any manicurist will tell you how lemon zest is beneficial for our nails. Rubbing lemon peel onto your nails will help brighten them, prevent dullness, and strengthen brittle nails.

13. Teeth whitening. Lemon can lighten your teeth by at least one shade. To do this, take a few slices of lemon with the peel and massage the surface of your teeth with them for a few seconds. Then leave the lemon strips on your teeth for another five minutes. Repeat the procedure no more than several times a week.

14. Getting rid of dark spots on the skin. The peel can be used to whiten dark areas of skin on the feet, knees and elbows. You should rub damp, fresh peel into your skin every day.

15. Whitening facial peeling. Crushed lemon zest with oatmeal and a tablespoon of milk will be an amazing natural remedy for cleansing the skin of dead cells. Lemon zest has beneficial properties not only to whiten, but also to nourish the skin, moisturizing and softening it.

16. Bathing with lemon. A few lemon peels in the bath will make your bath beneficial for your skin and help you feel fresh after water treatments.

17. Do you like chewing gum? Chew the lemon zest! Chewing gum as lemon zest will freshen your breath and gently whiten your teeth.

18. Conditioner to soften hair. Rinsing your hair with water infused with lemon zest will remove shampoo residue and dandruff, reduce oil production and soften your hair.

Health benefits of lemon zest

19. Antivirus agent. Lemon peel has also been used in medicine. Vitamin C contained in lemon peel will protect the body during exacerbation of viral infections. Add the peel to tea, compote, or eat the lemon raw along with the zest.

20. The best remedy for osteoporosis. Who would have thought, but the most famous remedy for bone fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyarthritis is lemon with eggshells crushed in a mortar. You should finely chop the ingredients, mix them and leave for a week in a cool, dark place. Literally 7 days, and the miracle remedy is ready.

21. Help the body get rid of toxins. You can free your body from toxic substances in just one week. To do this, eat two tablespoons of crushed lemon peels throughout the day. The zest will cleanse the intestines, stabilize blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.

I love lemons for their color, pleasant smell and refreshing taste. Every morning I squeeze the juice of one lemon to make a morning cleansing and refreshing drink. And just recently I caught myself thinking that the lemon peel that I threw away every time could be used.

Thanks to the information I found on the Internet, I realized that lemon peel is no less useful than the fruit itself and has very wide applications. Below I present to your attention some tips on the topic “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.

How to use lemon zest: cooking

This is probably the most common use of lemon zest. And it is not surprising, because it is in it that vitamins and minerals and fiber (calcium, potassium, Vitamin C) are concentrated.

Lemon zest

Lemon zest will improve the taste of both desserts and meat and vegetable dishes. It is best to grate fresh and thoroughly washed lemon peel and freeze it in small portions for later use.

Spiced 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.

Caramelized lemon peel

Separate the peel from the white pulp and cut into thin strips. Then place in a saucepan, add water and put on fire. Bring to a boil and leave for 30 seconds. Then remove from heat, drain the water and discard the crusts on a napkin to dry. Repeat the same procedure again.

Boiling helps get rid of the bitterness found in lemon peels, as well as pesticides. After you have finished boiling, pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan, add 3 cups of sugar, and heat until the latter dissolves.

After this, add the peels to the syrup and bring to a boil.

Next, reduce the heat to low and cook the peels for an hour and a half (depending on the size and thickness of the lemon peel strips), stirring every 15 minutes. When the lemon peel is ready, it becomes translucent. Peels that are not ready are usually a little bitter.

Remove the peels from the syrup and dry them. We pour the syrup into a jar - it can be used to create drinks and cocktails.

Roll the sticky peels in sugar and leave on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until completely dry.

The combination of caramelized lemon peel and melted white chocolate is delicious.

How to use lemon zest:

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.

Instead of lemon zest, you can use the zest of any other citrus fruit.

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 intense the citrus taste is needed.

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 well. Then place the roll in the paper in the refrigerator for a few hours and the spiced lemon zest butter is ready to use.

Brown sugar and lemon zest

If you add lemon zest to a container of brown sugar, it will never compress and will always be soft and crumbly.

How to use lemon zest: cleanliness in the house

Citrus Vinegar is a All-Natural, Versatile, and Effective Cleaner

Lemon vinegar copes well with any kind of stains and dirt; it effectively breaks down grease and disinfects. In order to make lemon vinegar at home, we need regular table vinegar (90%), the zest of several lemons, a glass container with a lid and 2 weeks of time. Pour the zest into the container, pour in the vinegar, shake and let it brew for 2 weeks, remembering to shake from time to time. Next, the resulting liquid can be filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 50 to 50. Although, the last step can be omitted if you are going to clean particularly dirty surfaces with lemon vinegar or disinfect plumbing fixtures.

11. Eliminating unpleasant odors in the refrigerator

In order to get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator, regularly place fresh lemon peels on the shelves; they will absorb all the unpleasant odors, leaving in return freshness and a light citrus aroma.

12. Eliminating unpleasant trash odor

Just like in the refrigerator, lemon peels absorb bad odors that have permeated the trash container, leaving behind a fresh, citrusy scent.

13. Lemon peels can also be used instead of a sponge when removing limescale and other contaminants from metal and ceramic surfaces.

14. Using a lemon peel, you can effectively clean a grater even from old dirt. All you have to do is rub a lemon peel on it, leave it for a few minutes and rinse with water.

How to use lemon zest: beauty and health

15. If you mix finely grated lemon zest with brown sugar and add a little olive oil to the mixture, you will get an excellent moisturizing scrub that will help you effectively care for the skin of your face and body.

16. To whiten yellowed feet, rub them with fresh lemon peel and you will be very pleased with the results.

17. Using lemon peel, you can also lighten age spots and freckles - you just need to regularly wipe problem areas with fresh peel. By the way, this procedure allows you to give your facial skin an even, beautiful tone.

18. Dry skin on the elbows can be softened with lemon peel - to do this, just crush the peel a little in your hand and rub the problem area with it.

19. Lemon zest can be added to the mixture for bath, shower or plumbing bombs - all options for making such useful cosmetics can be found.

20. Lemon zest can also be used to make homemade soap.

Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of lemon and lemon juice. But few people know that the zest of this citrus fruit is of great value for our health. Do not rush to throw away the lemon peel after squeezing the juice - it can still serve your body well.

Here are some well-researched benefits of lemon zest:

1. The zest helps maintain healthy bones. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, which helps strengthen bone tissue. The zest helps prevent the development of diseases such as osteoporosis, articular rheumatism and multiple arthritis.

2. The zest helps reduce the level of oxidative stress (damage to the body due to oxidative reactions uncharacteristic of its own metabolism) due to its high content of bioflavonoids (vitamin P).

3. The body contains toxic substances that not only weaken it from the inside, but also increase the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction and a tendency to overeat. Thanks to its high content of bioflavonoids, lemon peel helps remove these toxic substances from the body.

4. Few people know that lemon zest is used to prevent and treat cancer. It contains the substances salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which help fight cancer cells.

5. Thanks to the content of polyphenols and flavonoids, the zest helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body, which has a beneficial effect on heart function.

6. The potassium content has a beneficial effect on heart health, helps prevent the development of diabetes and normalize blood pressure.

7. Lemon zest is an excellent remedy for maintaining oral health and hygiene. Vitamin C helps combat problems such as bleeding gums, scurvy and gingivitis. The zest is rich in citric acid, which replenishes the lack of vitamin C, allowing you to quickly get rid of these ailments.

8. The zest helps you lose weight. It contains a substance called pectin, which helps to achieve a slim figure.

9. The zest helps maintain healthy skin and prevent problems such as premature wrinkles, acne, pigmentation disorders, etc. Free radicals play an important role in this process. In addition, the zest is rich in antioxidants, which helps neutralize toxic substances that enter the skin.

10. In addition to the above, the zest also has a whole range of useful properties: cleanses the liver, helps with ear infections, improves blood circulation, weakens muscle contractions, prevents strokes, etc.

The best way to consume lemon zest:

Place the lemon in the freezer. When it freezes, grate the zest on a fine grater and add a little to salads, tea and any other food. Or you can sprinkle it with sugar and eat it as a dessert on its own.

And finally, a few numbers:

100 g of lemon zest contains 134 mg of calcium, 160 mg of potassium and 129 mg of vitamin C.

So, it’s worth considering including lemon zest in your daily diet.

Before zesting, wash the citrus fruits with a brush under running warm water, then place in a colander and pour boiling water over them. This is how chemicals that are used to treat citrus fruits during cultivation, storage and transportation are washed off from the surface of the fruit.

Under a thin colored layer of zest there is white spongy pulp. It has no aroma, moreover, it can be bitter and spoil the taste of the dish. Therefore, when we say “zest,” we mean only a thin, bright, aromatic layer, without pulp.

Ribbons of zest 1–2 cm wide. Using a small sharp knife or a paring knife, called a paring knife, cut thin ribbons of zest from the fruit. The zest cut in this way is used to flavor syrups, drinks, and decoctions.

Zest shavings. Using a special zesting knife, you can remove thin ribbon-like shavings of the same width. Such zest shavings are good for decorating dishes.

Finely grated zest. If you do not have a special grater for removing zest, you can grate the zest on a regular grater. Use the side of the grater with the protruding teeth. Cut a piece of foil and press it firmly against the teeth of a grater until they pierce the foil. Grate the zest, turning the fruit often. Make sure that only the zest is grated and not the white pulp.