Lemon zest: what is it, is it possible to eat a skin and what are its properties, namely the benefits and harms, how to get it, how to remove and grate the peel, as well as a photo of the peel

Everyone knows about the health benefits of citrus. But what to do with the peel? One of the popular ways to use it is to remove the zest, as experienced housewives know that it contains a real storehouse of useful substances for health and beauty.

Further in the article, we will provide visual photographs of the lemon peel and tell you how to store it correctly.

What is it and what is the difference from the peel?

The citrus peel consists of two components: on the outside it is covered with a yellow layer - zest, under which there is a white layer separating it from the pulp. This layer is bitter, therefore, when cutting the zest, it should not be touched.

Photo

The photo shows what the lemon peel looks like.

Is it possible to eat a peel of fruit?

Lemon zest can and should be eaten, but subject to certain conditions. Lemons must be thoroughly cleaned under a tap and doused with boiling water to kill harmful bacteria.

Purchased citruses are often waxed and contain pesticidesthat cannot be removed by washing. Therefore, it would be better if the zest is removed from lemons grown by you or your friends.

Benefits and chemical composition

Is lemon peel useful? Zest is considered one of the most useful parts of citrus. Why it is useful is discussed below:

70 grams of zest contains the daily rate of ascorbic acid.
Lemon zest contains a large amount of essential oils and substances useful for our body:
- vitamins C, A, P;
- some B vitamins;
- pectic acid;
- coumarins and volatile.
Among the trace elements in the composition of lemon peel per 100 grams contains:
- 0.8 mg of iron;
- 92 μg of copper;
- 0.7 mcg selenium;
- 0.25 mg of zinc.
And among the macrocells:
- 12 mg of phosphorus;
- 160 mg of potassium;
- 6 mg of sodium;
- 15 mg of magnesium;
- 134 mg of calcium.
Eating lemon zest helps to cope with anxiety and reduces its level.
Eliminates bloating.
Whitens teeth.
Lightens skin pigmentation.
Fights premature skin aging.
Due to its high content of calcium and vitamin C, lemon peel helps strengthen bones. And with systematic use, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis, arthritis and rheumatism.
Ascorbic acid in the zest helps in the prevention of viral and colds, strengthening immunity.
Regular use of the zest has a positive effect on the heart, normalizing blood flow and increasing vascular elasticity. Prevents the development of thrombosis, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Indications for use:

It is recommended to use lemon zest to increase appetite and eliminate digestive problems or gall bladder.
It is useful for constipation to increase intestinal motility.
If you are concerned about nausea, then try to chew a little lemon zest.
With bleeding gums, the zest is used to rinse the mouth.
Eat it to get rid of bad breath.
Those wishing to lose weight should also pay attention to the zest. It contains pectin, which actively breaks down fat and helps to reduce weight. In addition, its calorie content per 100 grams is only 16 kilocalories.
In cosmetology, zest is used to treat acne and oily skin.

Why do you want to eat it?

The desire to eat lemon zest can be explained by a simple lack of vitamin C. The decreased acidity of the stomach also affects the craving for it. This can also indicate the need for a visit to a cardiologist, as the zest contains potassium, which ensures the smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Contraindications and harm

There were no serious contraindications for eating zest. Despite the fact that lemon peel has a number of useful properties, there are some restrictions and precautions when using it:

It should be abandoned in case of individual intolerance.
People with peptic ulcer or gastritis with high acidity are not recommended to use the zest.
With stomatitis, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis, zest should not be used, as this will cause irritation of the mucosa.
In general, you should not abuse this product, especially when added to dishes for children.

How to grate?

How to remove lemon peel and get zest? There are three ways to do this:

Grate:
1. Take a grater with small holes.
2. Rinse the lemons thoroughly with a brush.
3. Wipe off the topmost layer of lemon peel.
4. Put the removed zest on a tray and dry for 2-3 days at room temperature.
Use zestra to cut zest with chips or a piller to peel lemon peel in long strips.
Cut the zest as thin as possible in a spiral with a well-ground knife.

How long to apply and in what quantities?

It is enough to eat a small amount of zest removed from two lemon rings per day. If you abuse it, applying every day for a week, then hypervitaminosis may occur. In this case, discard the zest for three weeks.
The zest is used primarily in cooking for making muffins, charlotte, puddings and cakes. 6 grams of lemon zest added to baking provides 13% of the body's daily need for this healthy vitamin.
It is added to salads in the amount of one or half a teaspoon, as well as in meat dishes. If you want to add flavor to meat dishes, then a minute before cooking, sprinkle the minced meat with zest removed from one lemon.
The easiest way is to use the zest as an aromatic additive in tea. Mix the zest of one lemon with dry black in any proportion to taste and make tea.
To eliminate unpleasant odors in the room and the refrigerator, sprinkle the zest in small cloth bags and place it in the corners.
To get rid of annoying midges, spread the zest in small handfuls on the windows and near the cracks.
To descale, pour water in a kettle, pour a handful of lemon peel there and bring to a boil. Then turn off, leave for an hour and wash well.
A dressing with lemon zest for several hours can help relieve joint pain. How to use for joint pain? Remove the zest from one lemon, apply to painful areas and fix with a bandage or dressing.
Lemon zest contains a large amount of antioxidants that contribute to the removal of toxins from the body. Add a little zest to the smoothie to cleanse the body of toxins.

Storage recommendations

To remove the peeled peel longer to be usable, place it in a glass container and cover it with sugar. It will serve as an excellent preservative and at the same time absorbs essential oils. Shelf life in the refrigerator can reach several months.
Remove dried zest in a glass or tin can, tightly closing the lid. If desired, you can also grind it into powder and add it to ready meals. Dried zest can be stored in a dry place for up to a year.

There are many ways to use lemon zest. It will become a simple but elegant addition to your culinary dishes and will be useful in the household. And with a lack of nutrients in the body, it will be an indispensable assistant.