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Best Handheld Citrus Zester

Updated Jun 24th, 2021 10:25AM EDT

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Add the tang from your favorite fruits to liven up your recipes this summer by grating them with a citrus zester. A zester is used to take the rind off of citrus fruit to give your meal some added flavor. Zesters can be used for many purposes in the kitchen, such as grating and cutting. Garnish your cocktails or boost your desserts by adding a fresh citrus taste without getting any of the bitter parts of the rind. With any of these five kitchen helpers we’ve chosen for you, you’ll be on your way to sweeter, zestier food.

Handle all that needs grating

Strongest ZesterImage source: Microplane/Amazon

Made from ultra-sharp stainless steel blades, the Microplane 40020 Classic Zester / Grater works on any food that needs grating. The surgical grade steel blade is specifically designed with a tooth set that only will take the flavorful parts of the rinds of fruit off. It will enhance any stir fry dish, salad, or baked good. It is dishwasher safe, so you can clean it a lot easier than stand up graters. You can use a brush on the underside to get out the tough particles. The sharper blade won’t tear what you are grating or zesting, giving you cleaner particles coming off.

Key Features:

  • Surgical grade steel blade
  • Won’t tear
  • Dishwasher safe
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

Do more with this

Best Multi-Purpose ZesterImage source: Deiss/Amazon

The Deiss PRO Citrus Zester has a comfortable, non-slip handle with curved sides that allow it to remain rigid during extreme use. The stainless steel blade is designed to be used against the rinds of oranges, lemons, or limes, as well as to grate ginger, cheese, or chocolate. Add some finely grated sweetness to your dessert or top your pasta dish with some delicious parmesan cheese. The metal grater teeth won’t clog and can be easily cleaned by running them under water. You can throw away your old mandoline or julienne peeler as the Deiss PRO Zester will do it all.

Key Features:

  • Designed to be used against the rinds
  • Remains rigid during extreme use
  • Metal grater teeth
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

Get more bang for your buck

Best BargainImage source: Raniaco/Amazon

With blades resistant to blunting over time, the Raniaco Zester is perfect for any kitchen. It has a rubber handle that won’t slide in your hand during use. It comes with a plastic case that will collect all the food you are grating and allow you to distribute it easily on top of your dishes. It can be used with carrots, coconuts, cheese, and fruit. Washing along the blades makes for simple cleaning. If you want to add more spice to a dish, grating nutmeg, ginger, or chili peppers with the Raniaco zester will give you the taste you want.

Key Features:

  • Plastic case to collect all the food
  • Wash along the blades
  • Rubber handle
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

Keep it over the bowl

Best Etched SurfaceImage source: OXO Good Grips/Amazon

Don’t lose any of what you’re zesting when you have the OXO Good Grips Etched Zester and Grater. This is great for zesting citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, or grating hard cheese or chocolate. The sharp, etched stainless steel grating surface makes for an easier time. The non-slip foot provide control while you’re grating. It has a soft, non-slip handle for comfort while you’re really trying to get through the lemon rind. It will hook onto the end of a bowl to stay on there while you’re grating and zesting over it.

Key Features:

  • Sharp, etched stainless steel grating surface
  • Non-slip handle
  • Non-slip foot
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

Wash it easily

Easiest to CleanImage source: Amazon Basics

Trying to get into the grooves to clear out the pieces of food can be difficult. But when you have the Amazon Basics Hand Zester and Grater, that won’t be an issue. That’s because this handheld grater and zester is safe to put in the dishwasher, making your cleanup simple. This was created for finely shredding and grating toppings and ingredients. It is made from food-safe stainless steel and features a sharp grating blade. You can grate citrus, peels, cheese, chocolate, ginger, and other items. It features a non-slip grip and handle.

Key Features:

  • Safe to put in the dishwasher
  • Made from food-safe stainless steel
  • Non-slip grip and handle
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon
Chris Hachey Commerce Editor

Chris Hachey is Senior Commerce Editor for BGR. With over a decade of editing and journalism experience, plus thousands of hours of product testing and research, he has helped millions of consumers find the best products and deals to fit their lifestyles.

When he's not searching for top deals, he's likely watching his favorite sports teams or walking around his hometown with his wife and his dog.