Catching up with the mighty Microplane
Back in January 2016, we told you the Microplane story, how a Canadian homemaker used a wood rasp from her husband’s workshop to grate orange zest for her cake. She didn’t know it at the time (1994), but she was about to revolutionize grating, taking the rasp out of the workshop and into the kitchen.
Microplane now leads the market in hand-held graters and zesters. What sets Microplane apart from the competition is the blade surface. Most graters and zesters are simply stamped out of stainless steel so the “teeth” on the grating surface are never as sharp as a knife blade. Microplane starts with high quality surgical steel and etches the teeth so the cutting edge starts out ultrasharp and, most importantly, stays that way even after years of use. The etching is a “signature chemical process” developed by Microplane. Food is easily grated or zested, without tearing or ripping. It’s as if your food is being cut with dozens of tiny sharp knives. All the blades are manufactured in the United States.
The classic Microplane is a rasp-style blade with a comfortable silicone handle. The handle is the secret to using a rasp for any length of time as now there is a safe and comfortable place for your hand. A workshop rasp is often all metal, meaning the teeth dig in as you hold it. Moving from the workshop to the kitchen, the rasp is better known as a zester, referencing its purpose for the cook in the house. Each zester comes with a protective cover. The etched blades are so sharp it’s a good idea to keep storing the zester with the cover on.
This long narrow zester is ideal for taking just the rind off without the bitter pith (white layer between the rind and the fruit). Zest is the most flavourful part of any citrus fruit due to the high concentration of oils. Pith is the most bitter part of the same fruit, so the trick is to remove just the very thin layer of flavour. It works perfectly on lemons, oranges, limes or any citrus.
Microplane uses little food images to help you figure out what to use your zester for beyond citrus. It does a beautiful job on feathery parmesan or hard cheeses. And ginger grates without peeling it. If you are concerned about the safety of your hand on such a sharp surface, the Cut Resistant Glove, available in adult and child sizes, is the best answer. It protects your fingers and knuckles while you grate.
The Microplane family has a number of styles and surfaces for your cooking needs. And your orange cake will taste just that much better with properly zested orange rind.
DID YOU KNOW?
Zest is defined as “invigorating or keen excitement, added interest, flavour or charm”. Doesn’t that sound like lemons?
Cathy Reid is the owner of Absolutely Fabulous at Home in New Minas and offers information on consumer products every week.