Very often in culinary recipes you can find such an ingredient as lemon zest. If you have never encountered such a concept or simply want to learn more about this product, then this article is for you.

Lemon zest - what is it, how is it made and stored?

The zest is the outermost part of the peel of a citrus fruit. These fruits are designed in such a way that the top of their skin is saturated with essential oils, which can also be preserved in dried form. But remember - only the colored layer of the peel is considered zest.

To prepare lemon zest, you first need to wash the fruit very well, preferably with a brush, then scald it with boiling water for more reliable disinfection. And then you need to use either a kitchen knife or a grater.

If you decide to cut off the lemon peel, then you need to take a sharp knife and cut off a very thin layer from the lemon. If you prefer a grater, you should grate the zest using a fine grater and make sure that only the yellow layer of the peel is grated, otherwise dishes with such zest will acquire a bitter aftertaste.

Then the resulting zest is dried and placed in a glass or metal jar with a tight lid. Store without access to moisture. In addition to drying, you can use freezing if you want to use fresh zest for your own purposes.

The benefits and harms of lemon zest

Why is lemon zest so valuable? Primarily because of the aroma that it is able to impart to dishes and drinks. But this product also has many valuable properties. This thin layer of fruit skin is packed with many vitamins and minerals. The zest contains:

The calorie content of this product per hundred grams is only 16 kilocalories, so such a food additive will not affect your figure in any way, but will bring a lot of benefits.

Benefits of lemon zest when consumed regularly

What your body will get with enough of this product:

Who can be harmed by consuming the zest?

First of all, for allergy sufferers - citrus fruits are a product of increased allergenicity. Lemon, like its zest, increases acidity in the human stomach, so if you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to increased acidity, especially ulcers, then you should not use this product. Excessive consumption in others can lead to heartburn.

Where is lemon zest used?

In cooking

First of all, dried lemon peel is used in culinary matters.

This is an excellent seasoning for baked goods, fish and vegetable dishes. It costs from one to two grams of zest. Add to soups at the very end, before turning off the heat, and let sit for a few minutes.

You can also take regular salt and mix it with crushed lemon peel, and then add more spices and seasonings to your liking.

The same can be done with sugar. Take a Ziploc bag, a couple cups of sugar, and a fresh lemon peel (adjust the amount of zest based on how intensely lemony you want the sugar to taste).

Pour the ingredients into the bag, mix thoroughly, then open the bag and leave it like that for a couple of hours. This is necessary to dry the sugar. Then you can close the bag, mix the mixture again and put it in the cupboard.

Do you want to make a quick, refreshing drink with a hint of lemon in the summer heat? Then distribute the chopped zest into ice molds in advance, fill them with fresh lemon juice or water and put them in the freezer. They can then be used to add to drinks and cocktails.

You can infuse olive oil on lemon peels. For all this, you need to pour the peels into a glass jar, add oil, do not cover with a lid and place in a dark place for two weeks. Shake the mixture periodically. Then we strain the oil into a glass bottle and use it in cooking.

The following sandwich mixture is quite interesting: chopped greens are mixed with lemon zest grated on a fine grater and mixed in a blender with butter.

Then the mass is spread on parchment, rolled up and sent to the refrigerator. After several hours, the mass is ready for use.

You can also make very tasty lemon peel slices coated with a caramel coating:

1. Cut a thin layer of the lemon peel, being careful not to remove the thick white layer, it should remain on the lemon. Cut the peel into thin strips and place in a saucepan with water;
2. Wait for the water with the crusts to boil, boil for half a minute, pour out the water and dry the crusts with a kitchen napkin. Do the same again;
3. Fill the pan with water again and add sugar in the proportion of 3 parts sugar to 4 parts water, heat the water until the sugar dissolves;
4. Pour strips of peel into sugar water, boil water;
5. Reduce heat to low and cook strips for one and a half hours, stirring occasionally. The readiness of the peel is determined by its acquisition of a translucent state;
6. Pour the resulting syrup into a glass container for further use (you get good drinks based on it), dry the strips a little;
7. The zest must remain sticky, as it must then be rolled in sugar and left to dry on a suitable surface, which has been previously covered with baking paper;
8. After drying, the caramel strips are ready to eat.

Use on the farm

This product is widely used in everyday life, helping with cleaning:

• Place the lemon peels on the refrigerator shelves and forget about the unpleasant smell.
• Soak lemon zest in a glass jar with vinegar (9%) for two weeks. Then strain the mixture and dilute half with water. Now you have a remedy to combat any stubborn stains, even old grease. However, if you cannot clean particularly difficult areas with the resulting product, then you need to dilute the vinegar to a lesser extent.
• Lightly soiled, greasy surfaces can simply be wiped with lemon peel, but do not forget that it contains acid. There are surfaces that are very sensitive to acidic environments.
• Does your trash can smell bad? Put the zest there and instead of a bad smell you will get a light citrus aroma.
• Tormented by limescale? Take a piece of lemon peel and rub it on the problem surfaces. You will be pleasantly surprised by the result.
• Lemon zest is also good as a disinfectant for kitchen cutting boards. Rub the zest onto the board, wait a few minutes, and rinse.
• Many insects find the lemon smell unpleasant. Place the peel on the windows and near cracks, and most of the midges will be afraid to come near you.
• To humidify the room, place the zest in a container of water and place on low heat.
• Using lemon peel, you can easily clean a microwave oven: place the zest in a glass bowl filled with water, turn on the oven for about five minutes, then remove the hot bowl and wipe the walls of the microwave.

Don't want to use store-bought citric acid to descale your kettle? Then place a good handful of chopped lemon peel in the kettle, fill it with water and boil.

Lemon zest in cosmetics

As you can see, lemon zest is a very healthy product, widely used in cooking and everyday life. It can enrich our body with vitamins and beneficial substances.

Thanks to lemon peels, you can maintain cleanliness and a pleasant aroma in your home. And also keep your skin in good condition. This is the zest, a small but versatile assistant that is very often undeservedly thrown into the trash.

Now you know how many cases this product can be used in. All that remains is to try it in practice.

The uses of lemon are very diverse - practically no one doubts this. But did you know that lemon zest is also an equally healthy product?

There is an opinion that the zest is used only in cooking. However, this is far from the case. I want to offer you interesting ways to use lemon zest - let it serve the purpose.

But first, let's figure out what this wonderful product is.

Zest (from cedro - citron) lemon (orange, tangerine) is a thin outer layer of lemon (orange, tangerine) peel, colored yellow (orange) and peeled from the white, loose underlying layer of the peel. It contains glandular containers containing essential oils, which have a pleasant aroma characteristic of citrus.

Lemon zest calories a is 16 kcal per 100 grams of product: K

• Calories, kcal:16
• Proteins, g: 0.9
• Fats, g: 0.1
• Carbohydrates, g: 3.0

How to get lemon zest?

It's easy to get fresh lemon zest yourself.

1. Firstly, those fruits that are sold in markets and supermarkets are treated with various substances- first with chemicals against pests, then with wax for extra shine. Therefore, thoroughly wash the lemons so that there is no dirt on them (preferably with a brush - in warm water), and scald them with boiling water. This is necessary so that the zest can be easily separated from the white layer located under the crust. If there are special marked stickers on the lemons, remove them so that no traces remain.

2. Wipe the lemon dry and cut off the top.

How to store lemon zest?

Method 1. Grated zest of a lemon, orange or tangerine can be stored, so the zest can be prepared for future use. The grated or thinly sliced ​​zest is dried well, placed in a glass or tin jar and tightly closed with a lid and stored in a dry place.

However, when using this method, the zest turns out to be of lower quality, since when grated, a white, loose subcortical layer is rubbed along with the zest, which should not be present in the finished powder. In addition, when rubbing, lemon juice and pulp may get in, in this case, when adding such zest to a dish, the bitter taste of lemon will be felt.

Method 2. Therefore, it is better to make lemon zest in a slightly different way. The zest is usually removed in a spiral with a sharp knife and then dried in a dry room on open surfaces covered with paper (to draw in excess moisture).
Dry all types of zest, spreading it in a thin layer on a flat plate on a white sheet of paper for 2-3 days at room temperature. A ventilated window sill or balcony is best for drying. Every day the zest must be turned over so that drying occurs evenly. The zest is considered ready when it becomes brittle.

After drying, the zest is ground into powder (or crushed) and stored in this form. You can grind the dry zest with your hands or with a spoon.

So, lemon peel is no less useful than the fruit itself and has very wide applications. Below I present to your attention some tips on the topic “how to use lemon peel” in the household, in the kitchen and to maintain beauty and health. I hope that some of what I have collected is useful to you.

Use of zest for medicinal purposes
The benefits and harms of lemon zest lie in its composition, which is rich in fiber, potassium, carotene, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and beta-carotene.

*Prevention of oxidative processes
Lemon zest contains concentrated bioflavonoids - strong antioxidants. They remove free radicals that cause mutations in cells, resulting in premature aging, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, the benefits of lemon peel are known, as a product that can neutralize toxic compounds - carcinogens accumulated in the body.

*Anti-cancer properties
Regular addition of the peel to food can slow down the development of malignant tumors, in addition, it has antimicrobial properties.
Lemon peel inhibits the spread of cancer cells thanks to the flavonoids in its composition. The substance limonene has antitumor properties.
According to scientific research, people who consume lemons with the peel are much less likely to develop lung, colon and breast cancer.
Limonoids also promote apoptosis - the random death of foreign cells. The skin also contains a special easily digestible pectin, which slows down the development of skin, breast and prostate cancer.

In folk recipes, the benefits of lemon zest are widely used in the fight against bacterial and fungal infections, in the treatment of anemia, and in the prevention of thrombosis.

*Strengthening bones
The benefits of calcium for bones are undeniable. There is quite a lot of it in lemon peel. In combination with vitamin C, it prevents osteoarthritis, polyarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis.

*Cholesterol reduction
To keep your heart healthy, you need to monitor your blood cholesterol levels. Lemon peel contains a lot of polyphenols - flavonoids that reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol. Potassium regulates blood pressure, and vitamin C prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease.

*Against infections
The zest contains beneficial essential oils, citric acid, vitamins C, A, B, P. Therefore, the use of zest helps prevent and treat colds and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
The zest is a powerful antibacterial agent; it can be chewed during inflammatory processes in the throat and respiratory organs, especially with purulent sore throat.

*Oral hygiene
To avoid problems with gum disease (including gingivitis and bleeding), it is necessary to include a sufficient amount of vitamin C in your diet, which is rich in lemon peel. This vitamin fights bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontitis.

*For digestion
The dietary fiber contained in the zest is beneficial for the digestive system. It improves intestinal motility and removes waste, treats constipation, eliminates gas formation and cramps in the intestines. Due to its remarkable properties, lemon peel is used in folk medicine for indigestion, dyspepsia, colic and vomiting.
It destroys putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines, eliminates bad breath and improves digestion.
Traditional medicine recipes recommend the zest for decreased appetite, insufficient formation of gastric juice, gallbladder diseases, and digestive disorders.

In addition, the benefits of lemon zest include its ability to: cleanse the liver, improve blood circulation, neutralize ear infections, make capillaries elastic, and prevent varicose veins.

*Zest for weight loss
Pectin, found in lemon peels, slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, helps fight excess weight and reduces appetite. It provides a long-lasting feeling of fullness and neutralizes sugar cravings.

Due to the presence of citric acid in the product, lemon zest may be harmful for those who suffer from indigestion. It should not be used for ulcers, gastritis or enteritis. In addition, lemon zest is quite often harmful for allergy sufferers. It can trigger the appearance of hives.

Alchemy of love

The zest is a mild aphrodisiac. However, in combination with chocolate, honey, wine and spices such as cloves, cinnamon, ginger, mint, nutmeg, black pepper, the tonic properties of the zest are enhanced. So you can and should not skimp on seasoning food and drinks for love with zest!

Using lemon zest in food...

The zest bears the name of the fruit from which it is removed: lemon, orange, orange, grapefruit.

*Lemon zest It is most widely used in cooking around the world. It is added to a wide variety of dishes from meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cereals, cottage cheese and mushrooms: salads, cold soups (okroshka, beetroot soup), classic soups (cabbage soup, borscht, ukha), main hot dishes and side dishes for them. , as well as in aspic, jellies, casseroles, minced meat, gravies and sauces. Lemon zest, along with vanilla and cinnamon, is the number one spice for desserts and baked goods: muffins, biscuits, Easter cakes, charlottes, manna cakes, sweet puddings, ice cream.

*Orange and tangerine zest used primarily for flavoring confectionery, desserts and sweet sauces.

*Grapefruit zest It is used by gourmets in the same types of dishes as lemon zest, but gives them a more subtle, refined and strong aroma.

*Orange zest added to rice and cottage cheese dishes, sweet pastries, meat sauces, minced fish and poultry.

All types of zest are used in the preparation of marmalade, jam, jelly, compotes, mousses, jellies, soft and alcoholic drinks (rum, liqueurs, vodka, tinctures, etc.).

The zest will not add acid (as it will if you add slices of fruit), but it will provide a subtle aroma.
All types of zest belong to weak, mild spices, so zest can be consumed in larger doses compared to other spices. Use zest according to taste, measuring in teaspoons rather than grams, since zest is a delicate spice that does not drown out the taste of food.
The measure of the norm should be taste - the appearance of a bitter taste when crossing the limit of the permissible volume.
Add zest to hot dishes 3-5 minutes before cooking or after finishing cooking and let the dish sit for a few minutes under the lid.

Add the zest to all dishes in powdered ground form. The zest goes well with most spices and is part of the traditional oriental “Five Spice” seasoning along with coriander, cinnamon, cumin and black pepper. When preparing baked meat, ground dry zest can replace salt.

I will not give here culinary recipes that use lemon zest, but I will give several original ways to use it in food.

* Keep brown sugar flowable.
If your brown sugar is more refined, try adding a little lemon peel (removing all traces of zest first) to maintain its moisture and flow properties. (For all recipes using lemon peel, always thoroughly clean the surface to remove any dirt or wax.)

*By the way, if you don't like sour tea, but if you want to enjoy the lemon taste and aroma, add its zest to your tea, not lemon slices. Or even simpler: cut a small part of the peel from the lemon and put it in the brewed tea.

* Dried peel.
The lemon peel can be finely grated and it will retain all the lemon flavor. The peel can be used fresh, dried or frozen. (If you know you'll be harvesting the peel, it's easier to grate it while it's still on the lemon before squeezing out the juice.) To dry the peel, spread it in a thin layer on a towel and leave until completely dry, then pour it into a jar. To freeze peels, use a freezer container. Lemon peel is used in salads, marinades, baked goods, grain products, etc.

* Lemon sugar
Sugar with a fresh and pleasant lemon aroma - what could be better? In order to prepare this sugar, we will need: a plastic bag with a zipper, 2-3 cups of sugar and the fresh zest of several lemons.

I would like to note that the more zest, the richer the sugar will have a lemony taste and aroma. How to prepare lemon sugar: pour granulated sugar into a ziplock bag and add fresh zest there, mix well and leave for several hours in the open bag so that the sugar hardens a little (a couple of hours will be enough). Next, close the bag, shake the sugar properly and store it in a dry, dark place.

* Candied fruit.
You can also make candied fruits from grapefruit peels. Candied fruits are easy to prepare, because they are just candied peels, and you can eat them just like that, dipping them in melted chocolate, or adding them to cookies, candies or bread.

* Making cookies with lemon peel.
If you make the peel, be sure to add it to the cookies.
It will surprise you with its amazing taste!

* Lemon peel flagella.
Strips of lemon peel, which curl into flagella when dried, are good for use in cocktails, sparkling water or regular drinking water. Use a vegetable peeler or knife to prepare them, carefully removing the bitter white pulp.
These flagella can also be frozen in a container or bag.

* Preparation of lemon extract.
Make lemon peel flagella (above) and dry them, outer side down, on a plate for 3-4 days. Place them in a blender and grind until flour. Use as an extract in culinary recipes.

*Spicy salt
A very interesting recipe - spicy salt with lemon and a mixture of peppers. To prepare, we need: a third of a glass of dried pepper mixture (sold in any store), the zest of 4 lemons and a glass of salt.
Grate the zest as finely as possible. Mix with pepper and leave until dry and grind in a blender. Then mix the spices with salt (preferably sea salt) and pour into a hermetically sealed jar. Can be added to any dishes

* Preparing Lemon Pepper.
Mix the lemon extract (above) with freshly ground pepper.

* Olive oil infused with lemon zest
Olive oil infused with lemon zest is very simple to make: pour fresh lemon zest into a glass container, add oil and leave for two weeks in a dark place. It is better not to close the lid. Shake the zest from time to time. Next, strain the oil, first mashing the zest in a bottle of oil with the handle of a wooden spoon (so that all the essential oils come out). Store the strained lemon-olive oil in a glass bottle with a closed lid.

* Lemon tincture
A pleasant-tasting lemon tincture is another great way to use lemon zest. How to prepare: take the freshest zest of 6 lemons for 250 ml of vodka, mix these ingredients in a glass bottle, close tightly and leave to infuse for 4-6 weeks, depending on how intense the citrus taste is needed.

* Lemon zest in ice cubes
A great addition to drinks and cocktails, especially summer ones, would be a few ice cubes to which we add fine lemon zest. You can also cut the lemon peel into thin strips and freeze them to add to cocktails even without ice.

* Butter with zest and herbs
Mix dried or fresh herbs and finely grated lemon zest with butter (using a blender or just finely chop with a knife).
Place the mixture on one edge of a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a roll, compacting the butter well. Then place the roll in the paper in the refrigerator for a few hours and the spiced lemon zest butter is ready to use.

In the house...

Lemon juice contains about 5-6% citric acid and a pH level between 2 and 3. This makes it
An ideal assistant in safely cleaning kitchen surfaces from scale and mineral stains.

* Removing greasy stains.
Greasey residue on pans? Are your hob burners covered in grease? If your kitchen has fallen victim to sautéing, try using lemon halves before resorting to toxic cleaners. Sprinkle a little salt (for abrasion) on half a lemon and rub it onto the greasy stain, then wipe the surface with a rag. (Be careful with marble surfaces or any other acid-sensitive surfaces).

* Lemon vinegar to remove stains and grease
All-purpose cleaner - lemon vinegar. It effectively removes various contaminants. Place the crushed peel in a glass container and fill it with vinegar, close the lid. After two weeks, strain and add water in a 50:50 ratio. You will receive a product that can clean almost everything. Lemon vinegar also has strong disinfectant properties.

* Cleaning the kettle or coffee maker.
To descale your kettle, fill it with water, add a handful of finely chopped lemon zest and place it on the heat. After boiling, let the kettle with this liquid sit for an hour, pour out the liquid and rinse the kettle well. To clean the coffee maker, you need to put ice, salt and lemon zest in it, shake it all well for a minute or two, shake it out and rinse the coffee maker. Everything will sparkle!

* Cleaning the microwave oven.
Cooking food in the microwave, especially unsuccessfully, usually leads to a rapid loss of cleanliness and appearance of the latter. The spots may look like dried pieces of cement. Before you reach for a chemical cleaner, try this: Add lemon zest to a microwave-safe bowl half filled with water. Turn the oven on full power for 5 minutes, allow the water to boil and the steam to condense on the sides of the microwave. Then simply take out the dishes and wipe off all that dirt with a damp cloth.

* Deodorizing the trash can.
You can also use lemon zest to deodorize the area with the most unpleasant odor - the trash can - and give the kitchen a fresh aroma. This, by the way, is a good last use of lemon after using any of the other tips.

* Polishing chrome surfaces.
Mineral deposits on a chrome faucet, as well as on other surfaces made of this metal, can be easily removed with lemon. Rub the surface with a squeezed lemon half, rinse and lightly polish with a soft cloth.

* Polishing copper surfaces.
Half a lemon dipped in salt or baking soda can be used to clean and freshen copper, brass and stainless steel cookware. Rub this half of a lemon onto the contaminated area and leave for 5 minutes. Then the dishes should be rinsed with warm water and polished dry.

* Cleaning a stainless steel sink.
Use the same method as for cleaning chrome surfaces.

* Insect repellent.
If uninvited guests have settled in your house - cockroaches, ants, moths, fleas - place the peel near the doors, window sills, in cracks and crevices.
These insects cannot stand the citrus smell.

* Making a scented air humidifier.
If in winter the air in your home is dried out by heating, lemon will again come to the rescue. Fill a bowl with water, add lemon zest to the water and place on the stove. After boiling, turn the heat to low and leave it like that for a while. The air will be humidified and filled with a fresh aroma.

* Refresh your cutting board.
Due to its low pH level, lemon has antibacterial properties, making it an excellent cleaner for many kitchen surfaces, including cutting boards. After disinfection, rub the surface of the board with half a lemon, leave for a few minutes and rinse.

For beauty...

* Use for skin.
You can add radiance to your skin. To do this, simply wipe the peel on your face. Citric acid stimulates cell regeneration, removes the stratum corneum, brightens and refreshes the skin.
Natural fruit acids also regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands and prevent acne. The activity of free radicals leads to the appearance of early signs of aging and age spots. Antioxidants in the zest help eliminate them.

* Acne treatment
The astringent properties of lemon peel and its antibacterial properties make it possible to perfectly clean pores, remove blackheads and get rid of oily shine.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (20 g),
• 1 teaspoon sugar (5 g),
• 2 tablespoons of cucumber juice (20 ml).

How to use:

• mix lemon zest, sugar and cucumber juice to a smooth paste,
• Apply to face and leave for 15 minutes,
• Rub the skin lightly in a circular motion, then rinse with cold water.

* Lightening age spots.
Many folk recipes advise using lemon zest to lighten age spots. To do this, place a small piece of lemon zest on the stain and leave for an hour.

* Skin softening
If you notice that your skin on your elbows, heels or knees has darkened and become dry, take advantage of the softening properties of lemon peel. Mix some baking soda, zest and citrus juice, apply to problem areas and enjoy velvety skin.

* Soothes dry elbows.
Use half a lemon sprinkled with baking soda. Simply dip your elbow into the lemon and swirl it around for a few minutes, as if you were about to squeeze the juice out of it. Then rinse your elbows and wipe dry.

* Making a sugar scrub:
Mix half a cup of sugar with lemon zest and olive oil until you get the consistency of sour cream.
Wet your body skin in the shower, turn off the water and massage the mixture onto your skin, then rinse.

* Lemon peeling
Dead skin cells can be removed using alpha and beta hydroxyl acids found in lemon.
There are several recipes for making scrubs based on lemon zest, and some scrubs can be found ready-made in specialized stores.
You can make your own lemon peeling:

• Use a grater to grate the lemon zest.
• Place 100 g of sour cream and 5-8 drops of rosemary oil in a container with zest.
• Apply the mixture to the skin and rinse after 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to do this procedure 1-2 times a week.

* Strengthening nails
Use lemon zest, yellow side, to rub onto your nails.

* Nail whitener
If you notice that your nails have become yellowish and weak, then you can add some grated lemon zest to your clear polish or manicure base. Or you can rub fresh zest directly into the nail plate before painting.

Ingredients:

• zest of 1 lemon,
• clear varnish - 1 bottle.

How to use:

• grate the lemon zest and add to the bottle of varnish,
• Apply nail polish as usual.

Alternative method: Rub the white side of the peel onto your nail plates 2 times a day.

Interesting fact:

The zest was introduced into use as a spice only in the Middle Ages. Gourmets of Ancient Greece and Rome considered the zest unworthy of culinary use due to what they considered to be an unpleasant taste and smell.

And in Europe of the 12th-16th centuries, the zest was included not only in collections of recipes, but also in dream books. Seasoning dishes with zest in a dream, according to the interpretation, foreshadows selfless work for the benefit of others.
Based on materials from Kharovchane.rf, www.wmj.ru, www.shalafan.ru, pri-gotovim.ru

That, in fact, is all the tricks. You already knew all this, right?

We thoughtlessly throw away many parts of foods that, nevertheless, can benefit our body. Such substances include various peelings, including citrus zest. This includes lemon zest and grapefruit zest. This product is a source of a lot of useful substances; it is often used in cooking and in folk medicine. The topic of our conversation today will be lemon zest, what is it, let's talk, discuss recipes with lemon zest, and answer the question of what beneficial properties and contraindications it has.

What is lemon zest?

Lemon zest is the topmost layer of the peel; it is the one that has a pronounced bright color and contains a lot of essential oils and other useful substances.

To obtain such a product, the fruit is scalded with boiling water, and the zest is cut off with an extremely sharp knife, like a spiral ribbon. You can also grate it.

Lemon zest - benefits and harms

Benefits of lemon zest

Lemon zest is rich in significant amounts of fiber, containing potassium, carotene, magnesium, calcium, folic acid and beta-carotene.

Such a product can be used to prevent osteoporosis, as well as to eliminate the inflammatory process caused by. There is evidence that lemon peel perfectly removes various toxins and carcinogens from the body.

Systematic inclusion of zest in the diet allows one to slow down the growth of cancer lesions by an order of magnitude. This product also has pronounced antibacterial properties. Traditional medicine specialists use lemon peel to eliminate bacterial and fungal diseases, treat anemia and prevent thrombosis.

Lemon peel has a mass in its composition, which makes it useful for the immune system and for the prevention of respiratory ailments. This product is a source of vitamin P, which protects blood vessels from fragility and has a positive effect on heart health.

Essential oils of lemon zest improve mood and have a good tonic effect. Simply chewing such a substance will help cope with throat diseases. Lemon zest is also good, it improves blood circulation, neutralizes ear infections, prevents varicose veins and adds elasticity to blood vessels.

Is lemon zest dangerous? What harm does it cause?

Lemon zest may be harmful to patients suffering from indigestion. You should not use it if you have been diagnosed with an ulcer, gastritis or enteritis. This substance also often provokes allergic reactions.

Of course, excessive consumption of zest can also cause harm. Overeating can lead to heartburn or nausea.

Recipes with lemon zest

How to make lemon zest cake (recipe)

To prepare such a delicious dish, you need to prepare one hundred and fifty grams of refined sugar, two hundred grams, two hundred grams of powdered sugar, four tablespoons and four chicken eggs. In addition, use one hundred and fifty grams of sour cream, a couple of tablespoons of baking powder and a teaspoon of lemon zest.

To soak the cake, you will need three tablespoons of powdered sugar and three tablespoons of lemon juice.

In a large container, mix eggs with powdered sugar. It is best to mix with a whisk. Add sour cream, zest and lemon juice to a bowl. Pour in the vegetable oil and mix thoroughly until smooth. Add flour and baking powder to the resulting mixture. Mix with a whisk until smooth. Pour the finished dough into the prepared pan. Place it in the oven, preheated to one hundred and seventy to one hundred and eighty degrees, and bake the pie with lemon zest for forty to forty-five minutes. A cupcake for tea with lemon zest should please you!

Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the hot cake and brush until the sweet liquid is completely gone. Remove the cooled cake from the mold and serve.

Freezer Lemon Yogurt Recipe

To prepare such a delicious dessert, you need to prepare three vanilla yoghurts 4.5%, sixty milliliters of lemon juice, seventy-five grams of sugar, 4-6 teaspoons of lemon zest and a glass.

Transfer the “yogurt” to a convenient plastic container and place in the freezer until frozen (just until it sets). Take sugar (without a teaspoon), lemon juice and zest. Mix until sugar dissolves. Transfer the frozen yogurt to a blender and blend until soft. Pour the lemon and sugar into the blender bowl and blend again. Divide the resulting mixture into bowls and place in the freezer for half an hour.

To prepare the sauce, blend the raspberries with the remaining sugar in a blender until smooth. Leave for a quarter of an hour to release the juice. Pour the prepared juice over the frozen yogurt and serve.

Baking lamb in the oven in a sleeve with lemon zest

To prepare such a delicious dish you need to prepare two and a half kilograms. Lamb meat marinade: a teaspoon, a quarter cup of honey, a couple of tablespoons of mustard, a couple of tablespoons of chopped rosemary (fresh), a teaspoon and the same amount of lemon zest, three cloves of garlic.

In a small bowl, mix honey with mustard, rosemary, black pepper, lemon zest and finely chopped garlic. Apply the prepared marinade to the meat. Place the lamb in the refrigerator overnight. Place the prepared meat in the oven, inserting it into a sleeve, preheated to two hundred and thirty degrees, sprinkle it with salt. Bake for twenty minutes, then reduce the temperature to two hundred degrees and bake for about another hour. Then let the lamb sit for about ten minutes, cut it and serve.

Additional Information

Preparing lemon zest is possible not only for culinary purposes. Lemon zest, as well as the lemon itself, can be used to treat a wide variety of pathological conditions.

Prevention and treatment of vascular atherosclerosis. Traditional medicine experts advise grinding the dry zest to a powder. This remedy will help prevent and cure atherosclerosis. It should be taken one to three grams three times a day.

If you boil a lemon peel in sugar or honey until soft, this remedy will help improve digestion in the stomach.

Traditional treatment for headaches. If you have a severe headache, cut the lemon peel as thin as possible, peel it off any remaining white skin and apply it to your temple for a quarter of an hour.

To remove a callus on a toe or foot. The zest will also help cope with calluses on the feet. To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, you need to thoroughly steam your feet in hot water and wipe dry. Tie a lemon peel to the problem area. Carry out this procedure several times (over several days), then steam your feet again and remove the callus.

Rheumatism of the joints - folk treatment with lemon and zest. To prepare the medicine, you need to prepare three peeled lemons and three peeled heads of garlic. Pass such raw materials through a meat grinder. Pour one liter of boiling water over the finished pulp and let it brew for 24 hours. The strained medicine should be taken a quarter glass three times a day immediately before meals.

For those who are looking for what they can increase blood pressure You can add one more remedy to yourself. Tincture of lemon zest will help cope with hypotension, which is accompanied by fainting. To prepare the medicine, you need to grind one hundred grams of dry lemon peel and combine it with a liter of vodka. Leave for three weeks in a fairly dark place. Take twenty-five to thirty drops three times a day.

Inflammation of the mouth and tongue- treatment by chewing lemon peel. It will also help to cope with sore throat, stomatitis, pharyngitis, etc. In addition, this procedure perfectly freshens the breath.

To remove a wart with vinegar and lemon zest. To do this, you need to remove it from two lemons, chop it and pour half a glass of thirty percent vinegar. Infuse for weeks in a glass container with a tightly closed lid. Strain the medicine, soak a cotton-gauze swab in it, and apply it to the wart area. Repeat the procedure several times a day.

Lemon zest is an amazingly useful product that can help treat many ailments. And when used in cooking, this substance gives ready-made dishes an amazing aroma and taste.

Lemon has been known since ancient times for its benefits to the human body. But later people learned that not only this sour fruit itself has a beneficial effect on the human body. The benefits of lemon zest are also undeniable. Therefore, when throwing away what is left of the fruit, remember that its peel can also help the immune system. Both doctors and nutritionists have repeatedly noticed the many beneficial properties of a product such as lemon zest. What are these properties? And what harm can it cause to the human body? Let's find out!

Lemon zest - what is it?

Firstly, this is one of the most obscure and at the same time frequently found ingredients in many culinary recipes. Its energy value per 100 grams is 47 kilocalories, in its raw form it contains 1.5 g of protein, 5.4 g of carbohydrates and 0.3 g of fat, and also has a large amount of vitamin C. In addition, the peel of the fruit contains such minerals as like selenium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and copper.

Lemon zest - what is it? The thinnest outer layer of the skin of the fruit, which has a rich yellow color. It contains those essential oils that have a pleasant odor characteristic of the yellow fruit. The interesting thing is that grated lemon zest will not add acid to the dish, but it will definitely provide a pleasant aroma.

How to do it?

Helps get rid of age spots

If you regularly wipe your face with lemon peel, you will soon be surprised by the changes. With the help of the zest, you can rid your skin of acne, pimples and many other imperfections. It will be especially useful for people suffering from age spots. Many folk recipes advise putting a small piece of lemon zest on the pigment spot and leaving it for an hour. This truly magical substance tones the skin, has a whitening effect, and also makes the skin tightened and smooth.

Strengthens bones

One good source of calcium is lemon peel, and high amounts of vitamin C allow the body to absorb calcium, which helps strengthen bones. 100 grams of zest contains about 134 milligrams of calcium. If you regularly eat the skin of this sour fruit, you can avoid the occurrence of diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatism.

Supports immunity

As mentioned above, lemon peel contains large quantities of vitamin C, which, by the way, is more in the zest than in the juice from this sour fruit and even in the fruit itself. 100 grams of lemon zest contains about 129 milligrams of vitamin C. This allows you not only to maintain the necessary level of immunity, but also to monitor your oral health. Lemon peel can eliminate unpleasant odor, prevent bleeding gums, and the appearance of various microorganisms that harm teeth.

Promotes proper heart function

Comfortable and proper functioning of the heart is facilitated by the use of a product such as lemon zest. The heart muscle is helped by potassium, which it contains in significant quantities. There are approximately 160 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams of lemon zest. In addition, substances such as polyphenols, which can reduce cholesterol levels in the body, also affect the functioning of the heart.

Disinfecting effect

Among other things, lemon zest is famous for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. These healing properties are applicable not only in dermatology. Lemon peel is used in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis and anemia. Another valuable property of the peel of this sour fruit is that it can cleanse the liver and improve blood circulation.

Lemon zest tincture has no less medicinal properties.

Harm of lemon zest

Despite the abundance of beneficial properties, some people still need to be careful with a product such as lemon zest. What kind of people are these? Those who suffer from diseases such as stomach ulcers, for example, and other digestive disorders. The fact is that due to the high content of citric acid in the zest, the mucous membrane will be irritated, which can lead to severe heartburn or general discomfort in the stomach area. Also, people prone to allergies should handle the zest with caution, since this product, along with other citrus fruits, can cause an allergic reaction in the body in the form of hives.

Lemon zest on the farm

Throwing some peels into the trash can will make the unpleasant smell go away. You can also put the lemon zest in the refrigerator. Then it will not only absorb unpleasant odors, but also fill the refrigerator with a pleasant aroma. Lemon zest will help get rid of scale that has formed in the kettle. Lemon peel can be used to increase the humidity in a room.

Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of lemon and lemon juice. But few people know that the zest of this citrus fruit is of great value for our health. Do not rush to throw away the lemon peel after squeezing the juice - it can still serve your body well.

Here are some well-researched benefits of lemon zest:

1. The zest helps maintain healthy bones. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, which helps strengthen bone tissue. The zest helps prevent the development of diseases such as osteoporosis, articular rheumatism and multiple arthritis.

2. The zest helps reduce the level of oxidative stress (damage to the body due to oxidative reactions uncharacteristic of its own metabolism) due to its high content of bioflavonoids (vitamin P).

3. The body contains toxic substances that not only weaken it from the inside, but also increase the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction and a tendency to overeat. Thanks to its high content of bioflavonoids, lemon peel helps remove these toxic substances from the body.

4. Few people know that lemon zest is used to prevent and treat cancer. It contains the substances salvestrol Q40 and limonene, which help fight cancer cells.

5. Thanks to the content of polyphenols and flavonoids, the zest helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body, which has a beneficial effect on heart function.

6. The potassium content has a beneficial effect on heart health, helps prevent the development of diabetes and normalize blood pressure.

7. Lemon zest is an excellent remedy for maintaining oral health and hygiene. Vitamin C helps combat problems such as bleeding gums, scurvy and gingivitis. The zest is rich in citric acid, which replenishes the lack of vitamin C, allowing you to quickly get rid of these ailments.

8. The zest helps you lose weight. It contains a substance called pectin, which helps to achieve a slim figure.

9. The zest helps maintain healthy skin and prevent problems such as premature wrinkles, acne, pigmentation disorders, etc. Free radicals play an important role in this process. In addition, the zest is rich in antioxidants, which helps neutralize toxic substances that enter the skin.

10. In addition to the above, the zest also has a whole range of useful properties: cleanses the liver, helps with ear infections, improves blood circulation, weakens muscle contractions, prevents strokes, etc.

The best way to consume lemon zest:

Place the lemon in the freezer. When it freezes, grate the zest on a fine grater and add a little to salads, tea and any other food. Or you can sprinkle it with sugar and eat it as a dessert on its own.

And finally, a few numbers:

100 g of lemon zest contains 134 mg of calcium, 160 mg of potassium and 129 mg of vitamin C.

So, it’s worth considering including lemon zest in your daily diet.