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Author Topic: Zesting method?  (Read 4498 times)

Offline yso191

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Zesting method?
« on: November 30, 2016, 11:31:12 am »
How do you zest?  I've used a zester previously, but what a pain!  I've heard people use a peeler, but am unsure how hard it is to avoid the pith.  I'd love a more efficient method.
Steve
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Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2016, 11:40:59 am »
I use a microplane which I assume is synonymous with a zester?
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Offline pete b

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2016, 12:08:54 pm »
I use a microplane which I assume is synonymous with a zester?
Sounds like Steve is using a zester (thingy with three sharpened holes on the end) and not a microplane
Zester=PIA + some pith
microplane=very easy + no pith

Is that right Steve? If using a zester get a microplane. If I didn't have a microplane I would use either a very good vegetable peeler or a very sharp paring knife, being careful to not get much pith. Zesters are no good IMO.
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Offline pete b

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2016, 12:09:44 pm »
BTW microplanes as a cooking tool are so common now even grocery stores sell them.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2016, 01:29:13 pm »
I use a microplane in situations where the zest will be eaten. For beer I prefer a veggie peeler. Avoiding the pith is easy enough with a sharp peeler and a bit of practice. If you do get a bit of pith, just peel or scape it off.

Online denny

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2016, 01:38:59 pm »
I use a microplane in situations where the zest will be eaten. For beer I prefer a veggie peeler. Avoiding the pith is easy enough with a sharp peeler and a bit of practice. If you do get a bit of pith, just peel or scape it off.

Yeah, this.  Even a knife.  The beer will do a lot of the flavor extraction, so you don't need to go all out with a zester.
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Offline FlipMasterFlash

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2016, 01:40:51 pm »
When doing a whole bag of oranges for a wit I found this peeler worked well. https://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Original-Peeler-Yellow/dp/B000H7O3QS  Though of using my microplane but that would have taken considerable effort for that many oranges.  Wasn't hard to avoid getting into the pith.

Offline yso191

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2016, 01:55:49 pm »
Excellent!  Thank you.  I had never heard of a microplane.  Now off to the store...
Steve
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Offline Stevie

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Zesting method?
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2016, 03:47:01 pm »
When doing a whole bag of oranges for a wit I found this peeler worked well. https://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Original-Peeler-Yellow/dp/B000H7O3QS  Though of using my microplane but that would have taken considerable effort for that many oranges.  Wasn't hard to avoid getting into the pith.
I find peelers of the above type work best for zest compared to the more knife shapped configuration. The above configuration is easier to hold at a steady pressure while rotating the fruit. The knife configuration works best for peeling long veggies such as cucumber and carrots, but still works well if it is what is available.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2016, 03:52:14 pm by Stevie »

Offline JJeffers09

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #9 on: November 30, 2016, 03:48:47 pm »
box grater is just as easy and they wont rake you like a microplane will
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Offline Hand of Dom

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2016, 04:08:32 pm »
I use a potato/veg peeler when I zest oranges for beer.

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Offline Tim Thomssen

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Offline yso191

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Steve
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #13 on: November 30, 2016, 09:53:34 pm »
I'm in the microplane camp as well. It is also my preferred tool for fresh ginger.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Zesting method?
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2016, 07:46:20 am »
I'm in the microplane camp as well. It is also my preferred tool for fresh ginger.
+1 to that. Way easier than mincing.