# Grapefruit Zest?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [January 5, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783 "2010-01-05T19:44:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/1 "2010-01-05T19:44:19Z")

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Hey chefs, can you use the zest from grapefruits to flavour and cook with?

How come I never see it called for or used?

(I’m thinking of substituting it for lemon zest in cupcakes, by the way.)

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**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/2 "2010-01-05T20:02:32Z")

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I have a really good recipe for tilapia that calls for shallots, grapefruits and grapefruit zest. I like the flavor it imparts and personally I think it will make a good substitute for lemon zest.

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**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/3 "2010-01-05T20:11:44Z")

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Absolutely. I’ve used it a couple times. It’s just less common since grapefruits are as universally-liked as lemons.

I keep intending to try making “Squirt” bars by adding some grapefruit juice and zest to lemon bars, but have yet to try it.

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**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/4 "2010-01-06T03:39:28Z")

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I like to triple the lemon zest in my cupcakes. Because I love the zingy lemony taste.

So I made the icing with grapefruit juice as the liquid and grapefruit zest mixed in.

Tres Yum!

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**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/5 "2010-01-06T20:22:53Z")

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Absolutely. It’s essential in the grapefruit Hollandaise sauce I make and works as well as any other citrus zest in other emulsion sauces, like buerre blanc.

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**Author:** ![blinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@blinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkie)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grapefruit-zest/523783/6 "2010-01-26T23:13:33Z")

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