If you’re the type who sees “zest of 1 large lemon” in an ingredients list and thinks, “eh, I can probably skip that”, listen up!

Martha Stewart’s hack for zesting citrus fast and efficiently is shockingly simple. All you need is a Microplane grater.

Once you start zesting, rotate the fruit, depending on how much zest you need. Avoid going too deep as the white part—the pith—is quite bitter and may impact the flavor of your recipe.

Whether you're making lemony pasta, zesting an orange for a fresh-baked cake or adding a hint of lime to your favorite cocktail, using this testing technique ensures you get the best zest every time.

This technique can sometimes lead to inconsistency, missed spots or even zesting too deep into the bitter white pith. Related: 60 Lemon Chicken Recipes To Add Some Zest to Your Weekly Meals ...

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Whichever way you choose to use it, proper zesting technique will make or break the dish, and a microplane will help you achieve the best results. Read the original article on Tasting Table.