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Lime Zest
Bright, floral, and intensely citrusy, sharper and more concentrated than lime juice.
Lens analyzedLime zest is the thin, fragrant green outer layer of lime peel, grated or scraped off to add citrus aroma without the sourness of the juice. It carries the lime's essential oils, which is where most of its scent and flavor actually live.
Where it comes from
Cooks began zesting citrus once fine graters made it practical to remove just the colored outer skin, a technique that spread from garnish work into everyday recipes wanting a brighter citrus note than juice alone provides.
Buying it
Buy limes with smooth, brightly colored, unblemished skin, since the zest comes from that outer layer — scrub well first if the fruit has a waxy coating. Some grocers also sell dried lime zest in small jars.
Storing it
Zest limes just before you need them rather than storing zest for long, since the aroma fades quickly once removed from the fruit. Dried jarred lime zest keeps sealed in the pantry for a long stretch.
Keeps about 1 year in the pantry.
Recipes that use lime zest
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