Zest citrus without getting bitter pith
When zesting lemon, take only the colored outer layer and avoid the white pith to prevent bitterness.
Use a zester or microplane and stop as soon as you reach the white layer. Rotate the lemon as you go so you only remove the fragrant outer peel.
The short version
- Zest only the colored part
- Avoid the white pith to keep flavors bright
What you need
- zester or microplane
What goes wrong
Zesting deep into the white pith
Use light pressure and rotate the fruit; stop when you see white
Why it works
Most aromatic oils are in the colored zest; the white pith is bitter and can throw off sauce balance.
Put it to use
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