How to Zest Navel Oranges and Other Citrus Cooking Tips

Many recipes call for the juice of navel oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits but even more call for the zest of the fruit. Do you know how to zest a citrus fruit? Not getting the zest right can result in a very bitter taste that can ruin a dish. The zest refers to the outer rind of the fruit, but only the rind and not the white pitch below the rind. Whether you’re dealing with navel oranges, grapefruits, tangerines or lemons the pith will always be bitter even when the zest is delicious. The zest of the fruit contains most of the oils of the fruit so it has a very concentrated flavor. Adding the zest of navel oranges, tangerines or other citrus fruits to meals, desserts or beverages is a way to add a concentrated boost of citrus flavor. That’s why so many recipes call for a tablespoon or two of zest in the finished product. If you’re not sure how to properly zest navel oranges or other citrus fruits here are some tips from expert chefs about working with citrus fruits:

A small cheese grater works great for zesting citrus fruits. Basically all zesting does is scrape off the rind to be used in the dish. Using a small grater will result in small flakes of zest. If you want a large piece of zest to use as a garnish or as a visual element in the dish try using a larger grater so that the rind comes out in one long piece. Then you can use a knife to chop the zest into longer, narrower pieces that you can add to your dishes. Long, narrow pieces of zest are ideal for beverages and for garnishes.

You never want to get the pith with the zest. In order to separate the pith from the zest you can roll the orange around on a hard surface before you peel it to loosen the pith, which should then easily scrape off the rind once you cut the orange open. Or you can carve the orange like a pie instead of peeling it. Carving the rind from the fruit in four sections, like cutting a pie, will make it easier for you to run a knife gently along the inside of the rind and scrape off the pith. Washing the rind will also remove the pith, but you need to make sure the rind is totally dry before you zest the navel oranges or whatever citrus fruit you are working with.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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