Lemon zest (peel, rind): what is it, benefits and harm to the body

Content

1 What is lemon zest
2 Composition and nutritional value of lemon peel
3 The benefits and harms of lemon zest
4 Contraindications for taking lemon peel
5 How to zest a lemon
6 Use of lemon peels
7 How to dry lemon zest
8 How to store lemon zest
9 Conclusion

Lemon zest is a well-known phrase among culinary enthusiasts. Lovers of tea, household tricks or traditional medicine know about the peel. It is important to know its amazing properties and scope of application.

What is lemon zest

Lemon zest is the part of the lemon peel. This is a yellow layer that is removed by various methods, crushed, and used in cooking and folk medicine.

In a broad sense, this is the peel of a lemon. However, the white layer gives a strong bitterness, so the concept of “citrus zest” and “peel” is separated when it comes to lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and similar fruits. There is an opinion that the zest is more beneficial than the pulp of the fruit.

Composition and nutritional value of lemon peel

The health benefits and harms of lemon peel are explained by the composition of the product and nutritional value. The main elements of the composition of the zest:

zinc;
copper;
sodium;
iron;
beta-carotene;
potassium;
folic acid;
phosphorus;
calcium;
magnesium;
selenium;
ascorbic acid;
B vitamins;
vitamin A;
vitamin E;
essential oil.

Thanks to its rich active composition, drinking tea with unpeeled lemon is healthier than drinking tea with the peel removed.It is impossible to gain weight or break your diet with lemon peel. Nutritional value of 100 g lemon zest:

fats – 0.3 g;
proteins – 1.5 g;
carbohydrates – 5.4 g.
calories – 47 kcal.

If purchased fruit is not thoroughly washed before use, various chemicals that were used to treat the lemon will be added to the composition. Some people believe that it is impossible to wash off even some of the chemicals. Of course, there will be no harm from just home-grown lemon. However, there is no exact confirmation of this.

Important! Washing in a solution of manganese oxide will kill germs, but it is advisable to use a rough brush, soap, or hot water to wash off at least some of the chemicals.

The benefits and harms of lemon zest

The benefits and harms of lemon zest will appear in any way of consuming the product. Main useful properties:

prevention of cancer;
prevention of heart and vascular diseases;
skin lightening;
regulation of the sebaceous glands;
lowering cholesterol levels;
preventing blood clots;
pressure regulation;
increasing immunity;
strengthening the skeletal system;
prevention of oral diseases;
improved digestion;
treatment of constipation;
help with weight loss;
normalization of blood glucose levels.

The beneficial properties do not apply to cases where all parts of the lemon are contraindicated or the potential harm from consumption exceeds the benefits. Among the harmful properties are the following:

allergic reaction - rash, swelling and other manifestations;
infection with exotic diseases when the fruit is not washed well enough;
exacerbation of chronic diseases when used contrary to contraindications;
chemical poisoning if the zest was removed from a dirty store-bought lemon.

The skin of home-grown lemons is not used unless there are contraindications.

Contraindications for taking lemon peel

A person will feel the harm of lemon zest if he consumes the product despite existing contraindications. Do not use if you have the following diseases and conditions:

Heartburn.
Gastritis.
Stomach ulcer.
Inflammation of the small intestine.
Mouth ulcers.
Increased acidity.

Important! When consumption occurs without additional consultation with a therapist, you should seek help if taking the zest provokes a deterioration in your health.

How to zest a lemon

There are 3 methods for removing the zest.

Grater. Take an ordinary kitchen grater, the smallest one. Apply a piece of foil, the teeth should pierce the surface. Grate the lemon peel. Only the yellow part should be removed. After the entire layer is removed, carefully remove the foil; the zest remains on it.
A knife or device for peeling vegetables. A thin layer of zest is cut off from a washed lemon, like a potato peel. It is important to ensure that a minimum of the white layer is removed.
Special knife for zesting. The device will remove thin shavings and is very easy to use – just scrape the peel.

In addition, there is a method of removing it with a grater without foil, cutting off the entire peel with a knife, and some try to peel a lemon in the same way as an orange.

Use of lemon peels

Due to its benefits for the body, lemon zest is used by households when preparing food, for home cosmetics, and when eliminating minor household difficulties.

In cooking

Experienced chefs know the benefits and harms of lemon peel. Dishes are seasoned:

candied zest;
frozen peel;
dry powder.

Candied is made by mixing chopped fresh zest with granulated sugar, you will need 1 part zest, 2 parts sugar.

Freeze with juice. The product is mixed with the juice of the fruit from which the peel has been removed, placed in molds, and placed in the freezer.

To obtain the powder, you only need to grind the dried citrus skin. All types of spices are allowed to be added to:

sauces;
drinks (tea, coffee, cocktails);
Dessert;
baking;
puddings;
meat;
vegetable dishes;
jellied meats, jellies;
fish.

Important! It is advisable to add it to a warm, hot dish - this way the product will better reveal its taste. This will not reduce the benefits, the properties will be fully preserved. The aroma will not be strong enough when the zest is added to an initially cold dish.

In cosmetology

The benefits of lemon peel are separately disclosed in homemade cosmetic products.

Scrub. They do it in two ways. The first is to mix sugar, olive oil, and chopped zest. The second is added to handmade soap. The more zest added, the higher the scrubbing qualities of the finished soap.
Moisturizing the skin of the elbow. The dry area is regularly rubbed with fresh lemon skin. The same method is recommended for heels. An alternative method is to mix the zest, soda, a little water, rub into the elbow and heel. It is expected that the skin will become softer and more tender.
Whitening the skin of the feet. The sole, fingers, and upper part are rubbed. You are allowed to hold it for a short time and then rinse off. It is permissible to use grated skin moistened with water.
Anti-acne mask. You need to mix cucumber juice, sugar, peel. The mixture is applied to the face and washed off after 15 minutes with water.

Some advise wiping the skin with fresh peel.It is believed that it whitens, rejuvenates, smoothes, and eliminates acne.

At home

The benefits of lemon peel extend beyond your health. Household problems can also be solved with lemon zest.

It's easy to eliminate odors in your refrigerator. It is enough to put lemon peelings on each shelf.
Cleaning a microwave oven without cleaning products. Place a bowl of water and lemon peels inside. Boil for 5 minutes. The container is removed and the oven is wiped with an ordinary rag.
The zest will help clean copper and brass products. Mix sea salt, lemon powder, rub the desired area, rinse.
To remove limescale from chrome surfaces, you need to regularly wipe them with lemon zest.
Lemon vinegar will remove greasy stains. The composition is prepared as follows: the skin is poured with vinegar for 2 weeks, filtered after the agreed period, the vinegar is diluted with water (1:1).
By placing pieces of peel near doors, windows, cracks, you can repel insects.

Lemon zest is useful for removing tea and coffee stains from dishes. It is believed that you need to moisten lemon powder with water, apply to the stain, leave for 2-3 hours, and rinse with water. However, any soapy sponge can wash away dark stains, and washing cups regularly will not create stains.

Important! Some people advise treating nail fungus with compresses from the product, whitening teeth, cleaning electric kettles, and adding to laundry. However, these methods are not sufficiently tested for reliability and safety.

How to dry lemon zest

Lemon peel will not be beneficial if the product is dried correctly. Some dry it in the oven, in the sun, or for longer than 4 days. These are the wrong methods. Correctly cook in the following way:

After removing a thin colored layer from a thoroughly washed lemon, scalded with boiling water, lay out the shavings on a porcelain dish covered with paper.
Keep away from direct sunlight for 3 days.
Stir daily to ensure even drying.
The finished product can be removed immediately or crushed into powder.

If you dry it at high temperatures, in the sun, some of the aroma will be lost and fading will occur. This will reduce the quality of the product and the benefits for the body of such lemon zest will be less.

How to store lemon zest

The benefits and harms of lemon peel depend no less on proper storage than on proper preparation.

The zest must be stored in tightly closed glass (tin) jars in a dark place. The ideal shelf life is 1 year.
Candied can be stored indefinitely, but in the refrigerator.
Lemon peels can be stored in a paper bag for 1–2 months.

Lemon zest should not be stored:

in cloth bags, next to intensely smelling products for a long time;
in tin or glass jars in the sun;
on a tray, in cups, plates;
in plastic bags.

Important! It is much more convenient not to cook in advance, but to buy lemon before cooking, making fresh seasoning each time. It is more fragrant and brings more benefits.

Conclusion

Lemon zest has benefits, although many people don't know about it. It is only important to use it correctly, taking into account individual contraindications.