Among the variety of fruits in the world, there are fruits whose peel people have learned to use in various areas of their lives. The familiar citrus lemon is a unique fruit with a large number of beneficial properties and qualities. The aromatic zest of lemon is used by cunning housewives not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine and in everyday life.
In this article we will find out what it is - lemon zest? How to use lemon zest? Let's find out what else is useful for lemon peels and is it possible to eat them?
Lemon zest preparation and storage features
Lemon zest is the outer layer of yellow peel, enriched with essential oils. It is they who make the zest a natural flavoring agent that is widely used in households, medicine, cosmetology and other areas of life.
To use this product, we will learn how to make lemon zest at home.
First, wash the lemons with hot water, preferably with a brush for washing vegetables. This is done to get rid of germs and dirt from the fruits, and to clean them of wax compounds that were used to treat the fruits before transportation.
How to zest a lemon
It is important to remove the thin skin so as not to touch the thick white layer, otherwise it will taste bitter and ruin the dish or drink to which the aromatic product is added. Before zesting the lemon, the citrus fruit is usually cooled.
Using simple methods and household appliances, simple manipulations are performed.
- The peeling knife used to cut thin strips must be well sharpened - this is a method if you don’t have special tools at hand.
- You can use a vegetable peeler - a simple, convenient way.
- A fine zest grater is a great way to get crumbly, fine zest.
- A zester (special knife) is made to obtain the product, and the zest is obtained in the form of spirals. They are usually used to decorate cocktails or baked goods.
The more thoroughly you grind the peel, the more aromatic the dish or drink, since the essential oils will evaporate in greater quantities. Lemon zest is used immediately after peeling for greater concentration of flavor.
How to preserve lemon zest if there is any left, or you need to stock up on a fragrant product for future use. You can store dried, for this purpose the peel:
- can be dried in a cool room by laying it on paper,
- or in the oven at 60°C for no more than 2 hours.
Store the dried product in a dry, clean, hermetically sealed glass container or enamel tightly sealed container.
You can store lemon peels in the refrigerator in the freezer compartment, and if necessary, remove and zest them.
The peel is also candied, and the product must be stored in the refrigerator.
Some cooks put the dough in molds and pour lemon juice, using it later as needed for preparing dishes.
How to remove zest from an orange using a grater?
To do this, you need to prepare a device with small holes. It is placed on a cutting board so that the perforated part is on the outside. Remember to hold the handle of the grater so that it does not move on the base. Next we perform the following actions:
- Start rubbing just the orange layer of the peel, leaving the white flesh intact. You need to be extremely careful at this moment. Movements must be made in a single direction - from top to bottom.
- Turn the fruit slightly and then do the same manipulations. As soon as white pulp visually appears, unwrap the orange again with the untouched side. This process must be repeated until only the light part of the peel layer remains or until the required amount of product has been collected to prepare any dish.
It is better not to touch the zest from the bottom and top of the fruit, even if there is an orange layer left there.
Vitamins, minerals and nutritional value
The chemical composition of lemon peel is diverse and rich. The zest is saturated with useful substances, essential oils, and a significant amount of fiber. Macro- and microelements present in lemon peel: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, selenium, zinc, copper, iron. Lemon peel contains vitamins necessary for people of all ages: A, group B, C, PP, E as well as folic and pectic acids.
Lemon is a low-calorie product. The calorie content of lemon zest is only 16 kcal per 100 g.
- Proteins, g – 0.9
- Fats, g – 0.1
- Carbohydrates, g – 3.0
Spiced salt
A very interesting and unusual recipe, which contains salt, lemon peel and a mixture of peppers. To prepare this seasoning you need to stock up on:
- 50 g of dried pepper mixture. They can be purchased at the store.
- Zest of 4 lemons.
- A glass of regular salt, but you can also use sea salt.
Wash the lemon, remove the zest from it, grate it on the finest grater. Mix with peppers and leave for 6 hours to dry. Then grind it using a blender. Mix with salt and transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid or a spice grinder.
Is it possible to eat lemon peel
Despite the high content of vitamins and minerals in lemon peel, all the benefits can be displaced due to the danger that lies in the use of chemical processing. This is done for storage and improves the appearance of the fruit. Therefore, to avoid food poisoning and allergic reactions, the product is thoroughly washed with a brush and doused with boiling water. It’s better to completely avoid eating citrus fruit along with the peel if the lemons are grown in distant countries, which means there is a risk of getting a processed fruit.
Lemon peel jam
Rinse the lemon peels well, dry them and remove all films and membranes. They are the ones who give that terrible bitterness that is difficult for many to get rid of. Cut the peeled crusts into pieces. The amount of sugar is added in a 1 to 1 ratio.
Be sure to soak the crusts, put them on the stove and cook for 10 minutes from the moment they boil. Drain the water. Pour in clean water, add a spoonful of salt, and cook again, now for 20 minutes. Then drain the water again. Then you need to taste the crusts. For some, boiling twice is enough, and for some, 4 boilings are needed.
Grind in a meat grinder or grind with a blender. Pour into a saucepan, add sugar, put on fire and cook for 30 minutes. Place the finished orange peel jam in sterile jars, roll up and store only in the refrigerator.
Beneficial properties of lemon zest
The benefit of lemon zest lies in its healing qualities. Lemon peel has medicinal properties. It can be used in the treatment of certain pathological conditions and have a positive effect on the functioning of all organs.
Strengthens immunity
The zest contains vitamins A, E, C and group B, which helps the body recover from heavy loads, illnesses and infections. Also, the vitamins contained in the crust are a good prevention of colds and viral diseases. The product is a plant-based immune booster.
Heart Health
For people who care about their heart or for those who have already had problems, it would be a good idea to pay attention to such a useful product as lemon peel. The entire vitamin and mineral complex contained in it is aimed at strengthening the heart muscle and blood vessels. Useful substances strengthen the heart, regulate metabolic processes and remove “bad” cholesterol from the body.
Digestive system
For the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, lemon zest will provide support to the body. For the intestines to function well, they need fiber every day. Its healing properties stimulate digestion, relieve bloating and flatulence, prevent cramps and nausea. Lemon peel has antibacterial properties, improves pathogenic intestinal microflora, and eliminates pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria.
Prevention of cancer
Lemon zest contains substances that prevent the formation of malignant cells. Regular consumption of lemon product prevents oncological diseases of the intestines, prostate, breast, and lung cancer. In folk medicine, the peel is used to treat fungal and bacterial infections.
Oral hygiene
Citric acid and its antibacterial effect will help protect the oral cavity from diseases such as gingivitis and scurvy. Prevents caries, periodontitis and bleeding gums.
Benefits for weight loss
Lemon zest is rich in pectin, which inhibits the rapid absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines. Thanks to the substance, metabolism improves and metabolism accelerates. Thus, the weight loss process will be faster, more natural and safer.
Strengthening Bones
The content of useful substances in lemon zest, such as calcium, potassium, iron in combination with vitamins helps strengthen bones, teeth and nails. The action of beneficial minerals is aimed at combating diseases such as arthritis or osteoporosis.
The beneficial properties of lemon zest prevent many diseases and have a beneficial effect on the body as a whole. The product cleanses the liver, removing waste and toxins from the body. Stabilizes the activity of the nervous system, improving mood. Helps with sore throat and sore throat.
What are the benefits of lemon peel?
Lemon zest is actively used in cooking. As a seasoning, it is good in baking cakes, muffins, and puddings. And it will add a unique aroma and subtle piquant taste to meat, fish dishes, sauces, and salads. When used skillfully, lemon zest will add light freshness to tonic drinks and cocktails.
Lemon peels are used not only in cooking. Smart housewives have turned the zest into a natural, universal remedy, taking advantage of its antibacterial properties. It is used to clean grease and dirt, as well as to eliminate other household problems.
- The lemon peel is ground and poured with vinegar. After 2 weeks, the mixture is filtered and diluted with water 1:1. The resulting product is universal; it can be used to clean any dirt. Everyone knows that insects - moths, cockroaches, ants, etc. cannot stand the smell of citrus fruits. Lemon peels can be placed in cabinets, on window sills, and near doors, thereby scaring away unwanted guests.
- Unpleasant odors in the refrigerator will be eliminated if you wipe the shelves with a tincture of peels or simply by placing a few peels in different places in the refrigerator.
- Lime deposits on plumbing fixtures or other chrome surfaces can be cleaned without resorting to chemicals. But do this using the same unique lemon peel.
- Tea and coffee stains are removed from glasses using chopped zest.
- The microwave oven is easy to clean thanks to the peel and water. Place the bowl with the ingredients in the microwave for 5 minutes. Using steam, the inner surface of the oven will be cleaned; you need to wipe it after the procedure.
Uses of orange peel
The main use is cooking. The zest can be used in sweet and savory dishes. Traditionally, it is still more often used in sweets. There are archival records that citrus zest was used in Italy back in the early 16th century. Cooks added it to soups, stews, and candied it.
The zest is added to:
- Dough for bread, muffins, cookies, cakes, pastries;
- Canned stewed meat;
- Marinade for poultry. The aroma of orange goes well with chicken, turkey, and duck;
- Puddings, especially fruit puddings;
- Cocktails;
- Smoothie;
- Confectionery (marmalade, chocolate, candies);
- Sorbets;
- Salads;
- Sauces for meat;
- Vegetable stew;
- Marinade for meat.
Flavor:
- Tea, coffee and other drinks, including alcoholic ones;
- Vegetable oil;
- Sugar;
- Vinegar.
The essential oil extracted from the peel is used in the perfume industry. Acts as a flavor fixer and extends the shelf life of the perfume.
Lemon zest for cosmetic purposes
Lemon zest is a well-known product in beauty treatments. Here are just a few examples of the use of zest in cosmetology:
- It is used to whiten yellowed areas of the skin, such as the heels of the feet.
- If you mix zest, sugar and olive oil, you get a natural scrub for the face and body. The scrub cleanses pores, exfoliates dead cells and normalizes oily skin.
- Amateur soap makers can add lemon zest as one of the ingredients; citrus essential oils add a tonic and refreshing effect to soap products.
- You can regularly wipe your face with lemon peel. After some time, the natural product will help get rid of acne and your complexion will noticeably improve.
- The anti-acne mask includes, in addition to lemon zest, cucumber juice and sugar. The mixture is applied to the skin and left for 20-25 minutes, then washed off with warm water.
- Pigment spots will gradually disappear if you regularly apply lemon peels to problem areas and leave for about 1 hour.
Lemon has always been considered an anti-aging agent in cosmetic products. Vitamins and minerals, penetrating the skin, cleanse, nourish and tone it. Improves blood circulation, allowing the skin to be better saturated with oxygen. The skin becomes elastic, after the procedures it looks young and toned.
However, some recipes should use lemon product with caution. Do not leave the cosmetic product on the surface of the skin for a long time, as there is a risk of disturbing the pH balance. This may lead to blemishes or redness of the dermis.
Lemon tincture
How else can you use lemon peels? It turns out that they can be used to prepare tinctures. Moreover, it will have a pleasant taste and aroma, and as a base we use ordinary vodka, but only it must be of high quality.
To prepare, we need 250 ml of vodka and the zest of 6 large lemons. Mix all the ingredients in a glass bottle or jar and leave in this position for 6 weeks, stirring from time to time.
Strain the finished infusion, pour into a clean container and store in the refrigerator.
Harm of lemon zest and contraindications
Many people consider lemon an allergenic product, but what is the reality? The cause of an allergy to lemon zest, as well as to the fruit itself, is intolerance to protein or acids, which are found in abundance in citrus. Therefore, the immune system fights them, reacting aggressively to the introduction of these substances into the body. If red rashes accompanied by itching appear on the skin, it means that lemon zest is not suitable for you and it is better to stop using it.
Lemon peel is contraindicated for people with stomach ulcers. Also, if you have increased stomach acidity, you should avoid eating lemon products, including zest.
The benefits and harms of lemon zest largely depend on the product with which it was obtained, as well as on storage conditions and proper use. Otherwise, it is a useful and versatile product that enriches our body with vitamins and minerals. Helps you stay beautiful and improve your everyday needs, making life more comfortable.
Lemon sugar
This is a real pleasure for all those with a sweet tooth - delicious sugar with the aroma of your favorite lemon. Moreover, everything is prepared very quickly and incredibly simply. Moreover, you should not spare the zest: the more of it, the richer the aroma will be.
Making lemon sugar is simple. pour the sugar into a bag that has a good zipper. Add fresh lemon zest to it and shake. Leave for 3 hours on the kitchen counter in an open bag.
Then close the bag and store it as is in a dry and dark place. You should only take out the sugar with a dry spoon, carefully closing the clasp on the bag each time.
