Best Zester Tool of 2025
Looking to add some zesty flavor to your dishes? Look no further than our curated selection of top-rated zester tools. Whether you're grating citrus fruits, hard cheeses, or spices, a high-quality zester is an essential tool for any home cook or professional chef. Our list features the best zester tools on the market, all ranked based on user reviews and ratings. From handheld graters to sleek zester blades, these kitchen essentials are designed to make food prep a breeze and add an extra pop of flavor to your culinary creations.
Frequently Asked Questions
A zester tool is primarily used to remove the zest or outermost layer of citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. The zest contains the fruit's oils and gives dishes a strong citrus flavor. Zesters can also be used to grate hard cheeses, spices, garlic, and more.
While a regular grater can be used for zesting, a dedicated zester tool often provides better results. It's designed to remove just the flavorful zest without digging into the bitter pith underneath. Zesters also produce finer shavings which are ideal for incorporating into recipes.
To maintain your zester tool, clean it immediately after each use to prevent food particles from drying on it. Most zesters are dishwasher safe but they can also be cleaned by hand using warm soapy water and a cleaning brush. Dry it thoroughly after washing to prevent rust.
Yes, while zesters are primarily designed for citrus fruits, they can also be used on other fruits and vegetables with firm skins such as apples or carrots. They're also great for grating hard cheeses and spices like nutmeg.
A zester and a microplane perform similar functions but there are some differences. A traditional zester has small cutting holes that create long thin strips of zest. A microplane has tiny razor-like edges that grate the zest into fine particles. Both tools have their uses depending on the texture you want to achieve.