Zester

ZES-ter

/ˈzɛs.tər/

Noun

Meaning

A zester is a kitchen tool used to remove the outermost, aromatic layer of citrus fruit peel, known as the zest, without cutting into the bitter white pith beneath.
It is commonly used to add flavor, fragrance, and texture to foods and beverages.

Examples

She used a zester to add fresh lemon zest to the cake batter.
A fine citrus zester enhances the aroma of sauces and desserts.
Professional chefs often prefer a microplane zester for precise zesting.
Using a zester tool helps extract citrus oils without bitterness.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms	Antonyms
Citrus zester Grater (fine) Microplane Zesting tool Peel remover	Peeler Knife Slicer

Word Forms

Zest (noun, verb)
Zested (verb – past tense)
Zesting (verb – present participle)

Origin / Etymology

The word zester originates from the noun “zest,” which comes from the French word zeste, meaning “piece of citrus peel.” The tool name developed as culinary practices evolved to emphasize citrus flavor extraction in cooking and baking.

Grammar Information

Countable noun
Used with articles: a zester, the zester
Plural form: zesters
Common collocations: lemon zester, citrus zester, kitchen zester

Translations

Hindi: ज़ेस्टर
Spanish: rallador de cítricos
French: zesteur
German: Zestenreißer
Italian: grattugia per agrumi
Portuguese: ralador de cítricos
Arabic: مبشرة قشر الحمضيات

Idioms & Phrases

Add zest to – to make something more exciting or lively
Example: The lemon garnish added zest to the dish.