Lemon Peel

Lemon zest is a phrase known to culinary lovers. Lovers of tea, household tricks or traditional medicine know about the peel. It is important to know its amazing properties and scope.

What is lemon peel

Lemon rind is the part of the peel of a lemon. This is a yellow layer, which is removed by various methods, crushed, used in cooking, traditional medicine.

In a broad sense, this is the peel of a lemon. However, the white layer gives a strong bitterness, so the concept of “citrus peel” and “peel” is separated when it comes to lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and similar fruits. There is an opinion that the zest is more beneficial than the pulp of the fruit.

Composition and nutritional value of lemon peel

The health benefits and harms of lemon peel are explained by the composition of the product, nutritional value. The main elements of the composition of the zest:

• zinc;
• copper;
• sodium;
• iron;
• beta-carotene;
• potassium;
• folic acid;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• selenium;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamins of group B;
• vitamin A;
• vitamin E;
• essential oil.

Due to the rich active composition, drinking tea with unpeeled lemon is healthier than drinking tea with peeled fruit. Gaining weight or breaking the diet with lemon peel is impossible. Nutritional value of 100 g of lemon peel:

• fats – 0,3 g;
• proteins – 1,5 g;
• carbohydrates – 5,4
• calories – 47 kcal.

If the purchased fruit is not thoroughly washed before use, various chemicals that treated the lemon will be added to the composition. Some believe that it is impossible to wash off even some of the chemicals. Of course, there will be no harm from home-grown lemon alone. However, there is no exact confirmation of this.

The benefits and harms of lemon peel

The benefits and harms of lemon peel will appear in any way you use the product. Main useful properties:

• prevention of oncological diseases;
• prevention of diseases of the heart, blood vessels;
• lightening the skin;
• regulation of the sebaceous glands;
• lowering cholesterol;
• prevention of blood clots;
• pressure regulation;
• increased immunity;
• strengthening of the skeletal system;
• prevention of diseases of the oral cavity;
• improve digestion;
• constipation treatment;
• help with losing weight;
• normalization of blood glucose levels.

Useful properties do not apply to cases where all parts of the lemon are contraindicated or the potential harm from eating outweighs the benefits. Among the harmful properties are the following:

• allergic reaction – rash, swelling and other manifestations;
• infection with exotic diseases when the fruit is not washed well enough;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases when used contrary to contraindications;
• chemical poisoning, if the zest was removed from a dirty purchased lemon.

The skin of a home-grown lemon is not used only if there are contraindications.

Contraindications for taking lemon peel

A person will feel the harm of lemon peel if he uses the product, despite the existing contraindications. Do not use in the presence of the following diseases and conditions:

1. Heartburn.
2. Gastritis.
3. Stomach ulcer.
4. Inflammation of the small intestine.
5. Ulcers of the oral cavity.
6. Increased acidity.

How to Peel a Lemon

There are 3 methods for peeling.

1. Grater. Take an ordinary kitchen grater, the smallest. A piece of foil is applied, the teeth should pierce the surface. Grate the peel of the lemon. Only the yellow part should be removed. After the entire layer is removed, the foil is carefully removed, the zest remains on it.
2. Knife or tool for peeling vegetables. From the washed lemon, cut off the zest in a thin layer like a potato peel. It is important to ensure that the white layer is removed at least.
3. Special knife for zest. The device will remove thin chips, it is very easy to use – just scrape the peel.

In addition, there is a method of removing with a grater without foil, cutting off the entire peel with a knife, and some try to peel a lemon in the same way as an orange.

Application of lemon peels

Due to the benefits for the body, lemon zest is used by the household when cooking, for home cosmetics, and when eliminating minor household difficulties.

In cooking

Experienced chefs know the benefits and harms of lemon skins. Dishes are seasoned:

• sugared cedar;
• frozen peel;
• dry powder.

Candied is made by mixing chopped fresh zest with granulated sugar, you will need 1 part zest, 2 parts sugar.

Freeze with juice. The product is mixed with the juice of the fruit, from which the peel was removed, placed in molds, put in the freezer.

To obtain a powder, you only need to grind the dried skin of citrus. All types of spices are allowed to be added to:

• sauces;
• drinks (tea, coffee, cocktails);
• Dessert;
• baking;
• puddings;
• meat;
• vegetable dishes;
• chills, colds;
• fish

In cosmetology

The benefits of lemon peel are separately disclosed in homemade cosmetics.

1. Scrub. They do it in two ways. First – mix sugar, olive oil, chopped zest. The second is added to handmade soap. The more peel added, the higher the scrubbing qualities of the finished soap.
2. Moisturizing the skin of the elbow. The overdried area is regularly rubbed with fresh lemon skin. The same method is recommended for heels. An alternative method is to mix zest, soda, a little water, rub it on the elbow, heel. It is expected that the skin will become softer, more tender.
3. Whitening of the skin of the feet. The sole, fingers, upper part are rubbed. It is allowed to hold for a short time, then rinse. It is permissible to use grated skin moistened with water.
4. Acne mask. You need to mix cucumber juice, sugar, peel. The mixture is applied to the face, washed off after 15 minutes with water.

Some advise wiping the skin with a fresh peel. It is believed that it is so bleached, rejuvenated, smoothed, acne is eliminated.

At home

The benefits of lemon peel extend beyond health. Household problems are also solved with lemon peel.

1. Easily eliminate the smell in the refrigerator. It is enough to put lemon peels on each shelf.
2. Cleaning the microwave oven without detergents. Inside put a bowl of water, lemon peels. Boil 5 minutes. The container is removed, the oven is wiped with an ordinary rag.
3. Zest will help clean copper, brass products. Mix sea salt, lemon powder, rub the right place, rinse.
4. To remove limescale from chrome surfaces, you need to regularly wipe them with lemon peel.
5. Grease stains will remove lemon vinegar. The composition is prepared as follows: for 2 weeks the skin is poured with vinegar, after the agreed period it is filtered, the vinegar is diluted with water (1: 1).
6. Putting pieces of peel near doors, windows, cracks, you can scare away insects.

Lemon zest is useful for removing tea and coffee stains from dishes. It is believed that you need to moisten the lemon powder with water, apply to the stain, leave for 2-3 hours, rinse with water. However, any soapy sponge can wash off dark stains, and with regular washing of cups, stains do not form.

How to Dry Lemon Peel

Lemon rind will not do any good if the product is dried properly. Some spend drying in the oven, in the sun or for longer than 4 days. These are wrong methods. It is correct to cook in the following way:

1. After removing a thin colored layer from a carefully washed lemon scalded with boiling water, spread the chips on a porcelain covered with paper dish.
2. Keep away from direct sunlight for 3 days.
3. Stir daily to dry evenly.
4. The finished product can be removed immediately, or crushed into powder.

If dried at high temperature, in the sun, some of the fragrance will be lost, fading occurs. This will lower the quality of the product and the benefits for the body of such lemon peel will be less.

How to store lemon peel

The benefits and harms of lemon peel depend no less on proper storage than on proper preparation.

1. The zest must be stored in tightly closed glass (tin) jars in a dark place. The ideal shelf life is 1 year.
2. Candied is stored indefinitely, but in the refrigerator.
3. Lemon peels can be stored in a paper bag for 1-2 months.

Do not store lemon zest:

• in rag bags, next to intensely smelling products for a long time;
• in tin, glass jars in the sun;
• on a tray, in cups, plates;
• in plastic bags.

Conclusion

Lemon zest is beneficial, although many do not know about it. It is only important to apply it correctly, taking into account individual contraindications.