I ♥ Microplane Zester

I used to dread recipes that required zest because I had a box grater and it took twenty minutes to create a teaspoon of the stuff. Bits of the lemon would collect in between the holes and not enough would fall through for use. Using a tool to remove the zest particles that was stuck in between the holes cost more than it was worth because it would end up damaged. A box grater is dangerous because it's sharp and very easy to hurt careless fingers. In addition, I had to be mindful not to grate the pith, or the white part underneath the skin because that part of the lemon is bitter. Maintenance of the darned thing was annoying too. I had to take a toothbrush and slowly and gently scrub the top and the bottom side to make sure that it was free of food.