Peeled Lime

Amber Bracegirdle | Bluebonnet Baker

Is peeled lime skin the same as zest? And what exactly is the rind? Here's we'll explain the difference!

You will notice when you are baking or cooking that some recipes may call for peeled lime, lime zest or even the rind. The different terminologies can be quite confusing, so this article should make things a lot clearer.! 

The zest is the colored part of the rind. It is the most commonly called for ingredient in recipes as it contains the citrus oils that add flavor, with only a small amount being required. When a recipe calls for zest, you should be sure to avoid including any of the white pith. 

Roasted Carrots with Lime Photo

If a recipe calls for rind, it includes the zest and the pith. The rind is better in soups, stews and fruit compotes, where simmering for long periods of time is required. If you used zest here, the flavor would cook away, whereas the durability of the rind helps it maintain its structure while releasing plenty of flavor.

Lime peel refers to the whole shell that envelops the lime and is commonly found in marmalades, but you will find some cake recipes that call for it too. 

Key Lime Pie Meringue Bars Picture


How to zest a lime

If you aren’t sure how to zest a lime, you have a few options.

You can use a microplane zester which creates long, thin strips of zest. These are great for use as garnish. Alternatively, you can use a grater with small holes, which is usually the best for baked goods.

Lime Drop Martini Image

If you need larger pieces of zest, perhaps to make candied peel, you can use a peeler to gently take off the zest without removing too much of the rind.

You can also use a knife to cut thin layers of the peel and then chop the zest away - however this is very finnicky and can be dangerous if you are not careful with the knife.

Looking for some fun recipes using lime peel, zest and rind?

Why not give these a try!

Lemon lime cupcakes – features lime zest

Lime drop martini - use both lime zest and a lime twist (more on that below!)

Cherry Lime Rickey with Gin Pic



How to make a lime twist

If you want to create lime twists to garnish your cocktails, or even for use as a cake/cupcake topper, here are some tips to make them like a pro.

1. Make sure you use a sharp knife! 

2. Slice a lime in half and slice a ring from one of the halves.

3. Slice through one side of the peel and through the pulp, stopping before the other side of the peel.

4. Remove the pulp carefully from the peel so that you are just left with a strip of lime peel. 

5. You can then twist the peel into a curled shape; it should hold its shape so you can then rest it on the edge of a martini glass for a classy garnish. 

If you are hosting a party and want to create several twists that will hold their shape for longer periods of time, soak them in ice water and dry them on a paper towel after you’ve twisted them.  

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Amber Bracegirdle

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