A cold evening, a cup of aromatic tea and a pinch of citrus zest is the perfect recipe for fighting the blues and viruses.
But what if you want to add bright notes to your drink, but don’t have time for long drying?
It turns out that a microwave can become an indispensable assistant.
Previously, housewives would lay the zest on the windowsill, waiting for several days for it to dry naturally. Now the process takes only a couple of minutes.
Simply peel an orange or lemon, carefully remove the zest, avoiding the bitter white layer, and place it on a plate lined with parchment.
Set the microwave to maximum power and the timer to 2 minutes.
Every 30 seconds, shake or stir the zest so that it dries evenly and does not burn.
The finished pieces become fragile, retaining a rich aroma and maximum vitamins.
This method not only saves time, but also makes the tea ceremony several times more useful.
Interestingly, microwaving “seals” the essential oils inside the zest, enhancing its flavor.
The dried pieces can be stored in a glass jar for months, adding to baked goods, desserts or morning coffee.
Don't put it off for too long, try drying the zest this way - and an ordinary cloudy evening, devoid of colors, will become a little brighter.
