zeste de citron
The English phrase "lemon zest" is translated into French as zeste de citron.
zeste de citron refers to the colorful outer peel of a lemon that is used as a flavoring in cooking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of zeste, meaning zest or peel and de citron, meaning of lemon.
Which one should you use?
While zeste refers specifically to the flavorful outer peel, the word écorce is used to refer to the thicker, more bitter skin or rind of a citrus fruit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the phrase zeste de citron jaune may be used to mean "yellow lemon zest".
Did you know?
- The word zeste shares a linguistic ancestor with the word 'schism', as both derive from the Ancient Greek word for 'splitting' or 'tearing'.
- In French, the term zeste is also used metaphorically to describe a very small amount of something, such as a 'zest' of irony or a 'zest' of passion.
- Because citron can refer to several types of citrus, some French speakers specify citron jaune to distinguish a common lemon from a citron vert or lime.
Examples in context
- Pour une saveur d'agrume rafraîchissante, ajoutez une cuillère à café de zeste de citron à la pâte.For a refreshing citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter.
- Garnissez le dessert d'une pincée d'écorce de citron râpée.Garnish the dessert with a sprinkling of grated lemon peel.
- Ajoutez un peu de zeste de citron.Add a little lemon zest.
- Le zeste de citron donne un bon goût.The lemon zest gives a good flavor.
- Je prépare le zeste de citron pour le gâteau.I am preparing the lemon zest for the cake.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are baking a cake in the kitchen.
- LucasManon, est-ce qu'il reste du zeste de citron ?Manon, is there any lemon zest left?
- ManonOui, il y en a sur le plan de travail.Yes, there is some on the countertop.
- LucasParfait, j'en ai besoin pour la pâte.Perfect, I need it for the batter.
- ManonTiens, prends-le, Lucas.Here, take it, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries citron, de, zeste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
