Here for a lemon zester? Perfect.
In this post, you will learn how to choose the best lemon zester and give you options to buy online.
An important topic to understand is that not all lemon zester tools are created equal.
Some lemon zesters we recommend will be perfect for some and not others. Some of these tools are multipurpose, while others are to only be used with lemons, limes, oranges etc.
Microplane Premium Zester | |
OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester | |
Deiss PRO Citrus Zester | |
Jofuyu Lemon Zester | |
OXO Good Grips Etched Zester |
Features to Consider When Purchasing a Lemon Zester
Many lemon zesters come with a variety of features. Here we will discuss some of the most important features and specs to look out for before your purchase.
Dishwasher Safe
Look for a lemon zester that is dishwasher safe. This will save you cleaning time and your hands from any cleaning injuries.
It is very easy to cut your hand cleaning a lemon zester or microplane. One accidental slip and and you could essentially be running your hand across a “cheese grater”.
Durable Metal
When purchasing a lemon zester, you want to buy one with durable metal that will last a long time. The longer your zester lasts, the more use and bang for your buck you get.
One of the most durable metals to purchase on a lemon zester is stainless steel. This metal can last a long time and is generally dishwasher safe.
An important item to consider is, if you plan on using your zester with “hard foods” like nuts and cheeses, it will dull faster than if you only use it with citrus fruits. Citrus fruits are much softer.
Comfortable Handle
The handle is possibly the most important feature of a lemon zester. You will want one you can use in both hands and one that is comfortable.
If it isn’t comfortable you will dread using it and you might not be able to zest properly.
Also, if you choose a zester that is not dishwasher friendly, the handle could begin to break over time. So, whatever you purchase, be sure to look over the materials it is made of.
Type of Zest
Do you want finely shaved zest, or longer strips? If you want longer strips, go with a true lemon zester. If you want a super fine zest, go with a microplane.
Certain recipes can call for either types of these. Be sure to understand the functionality of your zester before purchasing.
Simple Design
To choose the best lemon zester, choose one with a simple design. Sometimes too many features can end up making your job more difficult. This can be true for the zesting process and the cleaning process.
5 Best Lemon Zesters Online
Below you will find the best lemon zesters online. Take a look at all 5 and see which one fits your needs.
#1 Microplane Premium Zester Grater
You can often find this zester in restaurant and home kitchens across the country. It is extremely popular because of its versatility.
Here are a few foods you can use this microplane with:
- Citrus fruits,
- Cheese,
- Chocolate,
- Nuts,
- Ginger, and
- Much more.
This premium zester is made of stainless steel and it’s dishwasher safe. The design is simple and the blade is sharp.
#2 OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester
This traditional zester gives you multiple zest sizes to choose from. One size is perfect for an old fashion, while the other for different recipes you are making.
The handle is big and comfortable and the blade is stainless steel. This zester tool keeps it simple and gets the job done.
In the link below you can check out the specs and watch a video to see how you can use this zester.
#3 Deiss PRO Citrus Zester
This zester is very similar to the microplane in our list. The main difference in this product is you get two options of zesters to choose from.
There is a wide and narrow option. The wide option will allow you to get more zest and it comes with a rubber stopper to hold it in place.
#4 Jofuyu Lemon Zester
This lemon zester is longer than most and it is wider than most of the previous options. These two features can help when grating citrus fruits and different cheeses
#5 OXO Good Grips Etched Zester
OXO usually makes easy to use products and this zester is no exception. This product looks slightly different than the other options in our list. Our only concern with this option is the possibility of it snapping if you apply to much pressure.
Since this zester is basically one long piece of plastic it could break under too much force.
Foods to Add Zest With
Below are some foods you should consider adding lemon zest to:
- Pasta,
- Baked goods,
- Vinaigrette,
- Bread crumbs,
- Sauces, and
- Brine
Benefits of Lemon Zest
Lemon zest contains:
- Calcium,
- Fiber,
- Vitamin C, and
- Potassium.
These vitamins and minerals can help give you a nutritional boost to your diet. While lemon zest only gives you a small amount of these nutrients, every little bit helps!
Final Thoughts
After reading expert and customer reviews, we believe these are 5 of the best lemon zesters you can purchase online.
We read about each of their features and looked for affordable options. There’s no reason to break the bank on a lemon zester.
We hope we were able to help you in your buying decision. If you are looking for more reviews of kitchen products, check out more of our articles below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions many people ask when considering purchasing a lemon zester.
How Long Will a Lemon Last if I Only Used it for a Small Amount of Zest?
After you zest a lemon and still have some skin left on, you can keep it in the fridge for a few days, or you can freeze the lemon. If you do not want to freeze it, you can zest the rest of the lemon and freeze that.
You can also juice the lemon. You can store the juice in your fridge, or juice the lemon into ice cube trays. Lemon ice cubes go well with may different drinks including lemonade, iced tea, or just water.
Storing zest in the freezer will last roughly 6 months.
How Far Into the Lemon Should I Zest?
Be sure to only grate the outside yellow rind of a lemon (the rind is also known as the peel). Do not zest into the white, spongy area of the lemon directly below the rind.
If you grate past the rind, this will add a bitter taste to the food or drinks you are adding the zest to.
How do I Prevent Zest From Clumping in the Freezer?
To prevent zest from clumping, distribute it on a tray the best you can. Then put the tray in the freezer until the zest freezes. Once it freezes, put it in a plastic freezer bag for storage up to six months.
It is important to use a plastic freezer bag because plastic bags that are unable to go in the freezer will build up more ice inside than bags that can go into the freezer.
Can I Use a Cheese Grater to Zest a Lemon?
There are some cheese graters you can use to zest a lemon. Many times you are unable to use one though.
You often cannot use a cheese grater because the grates are to shallow, or too deep to get the job done correctly.
If you think your cheese grater will work, be sure to keep an eye on how far into the lemon you are grating.
Can I Zest With a Knife?
Using a knife is best for cutting the peels into big pieces. This is also a more dangerous method than using a zester, grater, or peeler.
A knife works best when cutting peels for cocktails, or recipes that call for big pieces of peels.
If you are looking to create zest after you cut the peels, you will then need to mince up the lemon peels with a sharp knife. This is easier said than done.
In order to get a fine zest, you will most likely need great chef skills, or a lot of time.
What’s the Difference Between a Grater and a Zester?
The main difference here comes down to the size of the holes on each. A grater will have much larger holes to easily shred foods like cheese.
A zester will have much smaller holes allowing it to create the fine zest many people are looking for.
How Long Will a Lemon Zester Last?
This will depend on how often you use it, how aggressively you use it and which one you buy.
A cheap zester usually does not last as long as a pricier one. The old phrase “you get what you pay for” usually stands true with this purchase.
Also, if you use your zester aggressively, it might break faster than if you use it with care. Using it aggressively means pressing the lemon extremely hard into your tool and throwing it in the sink or dishwasher to clean it.
Doing stuff like this will shorten the life of your zester. Now if you are zesting every day, your zester will most likely not last as long as someone who only zests once a month.
This is due to general wear and tear that most products in the world face.
