Definition & Meaning of "zester"

What is a "zester"?

A zester is a kitchen tool used for grating the outer peel of citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, or oranges, to extract their flavorful zest. It typically consists of a handheld tool with a long, slender handle and a small, sharp, hole-filled blade. The blade of a zester is usually made of stainless steel and has fine, sharp edges or teeth designed to easily remove the outermost layer of the fruit's peel without digging into the bitter white pith underneath.