Step 1

Move the lemon back and forth over the grates of the microplane, rotating it as you go. Pay close attention to the placement of your fingers.  (A microplane has very sharp edges and can easily cut you!)

Step 2

Continue zesting the lemon until the lemon peel has been removed.

Step 3

Place the fine, sharp-edged holes on one end of the citrus, following the curvature of the fruit.

Step 4

Push slightly into the fruit and pull down to the other end.

Step 5

Repeat this process until the entire lemon peel is removed and only the pith remains.

Step 6

Place the lemon on side of the cheese grater that has the smallest holes.

Step 7

Move it back and forth, paying close attention to the placement of your fingers.

Step 8

Continue zesting the lemon until the entire yellow part is removed.

Step 9

Hold the lemon in your non-dominant hand and the peeler in the other.

Step 10

Place the sharp edges of the peel on one end of the citrus and push slightly into the fruit.

Step 11

Pull down to the other end, paying close attention not to cut into the fruit too deep.  You want to remove as little of the white part as possible.

Step 12

Repeat this process until the entire peel is removed and only the pith remains.

Step 13

Cut off one end of the lemon. Optional: If you would like to have smaller pieces of peel, finely chop until your desired size is reached.

Step 14

Place the lemon cut-end down on a cutting board. (Image on left above). Or you can skip this step and just hold the lemon steady on a cutting board.  (Image on the right above.)

Step 15

Carefully cut into the fruit at an angle and remove the bright, yellow peel, avoiding the white pith. Remove any white pith that remains.

Step 16

Optional: If you would like to have smaller pieces of peel, finely chop until your desired size is reached.