Whether your recipe calls for lemon zest or finely grated parmesan, a zester is a kitchen tool worth keeping in your culinary arsenal. The sharp, closely spaced grates produce a fine zest that works well for citrus, garlic, ginger, and more. If you're not sure how to use a zester or whether you need one, our guide will cover all you need to know. Keep reading to learn more about this handy handheld kitchen tool and how to use it.

What Is a Zester?
How to Use a Zester

What Is a Zester?

You might be wondering "what is a zester" and "how is it different from a grater?" A zester is a thin, handheld kitchen tool with sharp grates that are placed close together. These grates are much smaller than the ones you'd see on a typical box grater that you'd use for shredding semi-hard cheeses like cheddar. This design allows you to finely grate firm foods, such as lemons, cloves of garlic, and hard cheeses like parmesan or pecorino. Zesters are easy to use (much easier than pulling out a cutting board and knife to finely chop) and are often dishwasher-safe for an equally easy cleanup.

How to Use a Zester

Using a zester is a quick and easy way to add layers of flavor to your cooking. Whether you're grating garlic for your mise en place or dusting your dessert with a bit of chocolate, a zester can be quite the multifunctional tool. Here are our tips on how to use a zester to achieve a few different cooking tasks.

1. Zest Citrus Fruits

Perhaps the most common use for a zester, this method provides finely grated shreds of citrus peel that's perfect for a light lemony pasta sauce, tangy dessert, or refreshing beverage. Simply hold the piece of fruit firmly and use the grater side of the zester to gently remove thin shreds of the peel. Be careful not to dip too far into the white part of the pith because it can taste more bitter than the peel.

2. Grate Garlic or Ginger

If you want to skip the hassle of mincing garlic or ginger, grating can be an easy alternative. Grated garlic or ginger can be great additions to dressings, sauces, or soups. Hold the zester in one hand and run the garlic or ginger across the grated side of the zester to create a paste-like consistency that's great for cooking. Just be careful when cooking with finely grated garlic or ginger because it can be more prone to burning.

Tip!

If you're an avid home cook or simply want a culinary shortcut, freezing garlic or ginger paste can be an easy way to incorporate plenty of flavor to your meals with minimal effort. Grate garlic, add a small amount of olive oil and salt, and pack this mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze. For frozen ginger paste, grate the ginger, fill the ice cube tray with the grated ginger, and freeze. Both are good for up to six months in the freezer.

3. Flavor With Fresh Spices

Skip the powdered spices and opt for freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon, or cardamom. You can use these spices to elevate a dessert, flavor a latte, or add a beautiful garnish. Simply run the whole spices along the grater above the dish you're cooking or into a small bowl. Remember to taste the dish as you go since fresh spices tend to be more potent than powdered ones.

4. Get Finely Grated Cheese

Complete your cuisine with a light (or heavy) dusting of freshly grated cheese. Hard cheeses like parmesan or pecorino work wonderfully with the small grates on a zester – it’ll produce an airy heap of cheese to complement a plate of pasta. Just rub the piece of cheese against the grates to top off the dish, or shred the entire block so that you have pre-grated parmesan whenever you need it.

5. Top Your Desserts

Both decorative and delicious, thin chocolate shavings can take your dessert to the next level. Just like you'd grate cheese, you can use a zester to finely grate chocolate. These shavings are an excellent topping for ice cream, cake, or brownies.

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