Lemon zest may be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes as well as to clean and deodorize your house. Food preservation and freezing are excellent ways to reduce waste and save money. Can you freeze lemon zest if you have an oversupply of lemons or want to have it on hand when you need it?

Making the most of your groceries allows you to stretch your cash farther and reduces landfill trash. Learning how to freeze lemon zest is useful whether you live alone or in a big household.

Can You Freeze Lemon Zest?

It would be a shame to spend time creating and storing it just to have it go bad when you needed it. Following these instructions will teach you how to keep lemon zest so that it retains its fresh, natural citrus taste.

How to Freeze Lemon Zest

Lemon zest may be efficiently frozen and stored in a variety of ways. You should go for organically cultivated lemons for the finest product.

Others are good if you don’t have access to organically produced lemons in your region, but they may contain a wax coating that helps preserve the peel throughout transportation and storage. While it is edible, the wax may be removed by putting a few lemons in a sieve and running hot water over them. Before zesting, use a vegetable brush to assist remove the wax residue with lukewarm water.

Step 1

Before you extract the juices from a lemon, you should zest it. Pick your technique for creating zest. It may be determined by the kitchen tools you presently possess or want to acquire.

You can simply zest a lemon without buying an expensive kitchen gear. A fine citrus zester, cheese grater, Microplane, vegetable peeler, or even a sharp knife may be used. Each gadget will provide a distinct texture, thus it will be down to personal choice or money.

• Lemon Zester: This is a tiny, hand-held kitchen instrument that is solely used for zesting citrus fruit. It features a single row of holes on one end, similar to a vegetable peeler, but it exclusively produces zest.
• Cheese grater: Many classic cheese graters feature a fine side that you may use to zest your lemons.
• Microplane: This tool is around 4 inches in length. It looks like a long, narrow grater with a handle. Using one hand, hold the handle while scraping the lemon zest up and down the zester, turning it regularly.
• Vegetable Peeler: To make zest, use a regular vegetable or potato peeler. If the end product is bigger than you want, feel free to chop it into smaller pieces before storing it.
• Sharp Knife: Cut one end off the lemon with a sharp paring knife or chefs knife to keep it flat and stable when zesting. Now, gently remove the skin in strips while keeping the lemon firmly.

Make sure you just remove the skin of the fruit and not the white pith below, which may be extremely bitter.

Step 2

Decide which storage option will work best for you and your area before freezing your finished product. There are various straightforward techniques for storing lemon zest. Prepared zest may be stored in an airtight container, glass mason jar, or freezer bag.

Place it in a container or jar without packing it too firmly. If you pack it too firmly, it will be more difficult to remove as needed. Since you can manage the bag with your hands, freezer-safe bags are excellent for packing more inside. This manner, you may simply tear it apart while it is still frozen.

How Long Will Lemon Zest Last in the Freezer?

Lemon zest can keep in your freezer for up to 6 months if kept properly in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you have a considerable quantity, freeze it right away to keep the taste.

With any product that you keep in the fridge, you should utilize it as quickly as possible. The longer it remains in the refrigerator, the faster the natural oils that give it its particular scent and taste will degrade.

Related: What is the best lemon squeezer?

How is Lemon Zest Useful?

There are several uses for lemon zest that do not involve cooking. A medium-sized lemon will provide around one tablespoon of zest.

Using vinegar and lemon zest is one of the most versatile methods to make homemade non-toxic cleanser.

Put the zest of one lemon in a sealed container with 1 cup of white vinegar. Let to stand for 5–7 days. After the vinegar has absorbed the natural oils from the lemon, combine it with 1 cup of water and store it in a spray bottle for a terrific household disinfectant that also smells nice.

By just placing some lemon zest in your trash disposal and running hot water through it, you may help deodorize it.

Conclusion

Apart from squeezing the juice, there are several more methods to utilize a lemon. If someone you know has asked whether they can freeze lemon zest, you will undoubtedly tell them that they can.

People are seeking for additional methods to preserve foods and manufacture natural cleansers as they strive to be more environmentally responsible and save money. Lemon zest may be the ideal option.