zest
Spirited keen enjoyment
Zest is enthusiastic enjoyment or energy: She approached the project with zest.
The word also means the outer, colored part of citrus peel, prized for its aromatic oils in cooking: Add the zest of one lemon.
To zest a fruit is to scrape off this layer.
Both senses share an idea of flavor or piquancy—something that adds interest to an experience or dish.
Acidic yellow citrus
- orangeCitrus with segments
- limeAcidic green citrus
- grapefruitTangy citrus, often halved
- peelOuter fruit layer
rind · zester · microplane · tangerine · bergamot · yuzu · kumquat · citron
Enthusiastic vigor
- relishKeen pleasurable appreciation
- passionIntense emotional drive
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
energy · vivacity · exuberance · ardor · verve · fervor · spiritedness · animation
Sharp, biting flavor
- piquancyStimulating sharpness of taste
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
- zingVivid energy or sharpness
- punchStrike with fist
kick · bite · tartness · sharpness · seasoning · acidity · liveliness · freshness
Capacity for spirited existence
- vigorActive physical strength
- livelinessAnimated, energetic quality
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
delight · spice · thrill · exhilaration · savor · appreciation · fullness · richness
lemon
Acidic yellow citrus
- orangeCitrus with segments
- limeAcidic green citrus
- grapefruitTangy citrus, often halved
peel · rind · zester · microplane · tangerine · bergamot · yuzu · kumquat · citron · pomelo
gusto
Enthusiastic vigor
- relishKeen pleasurable appreciation
- passionIntense emotional drive
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
excitement · energy · vivacity · exuberance · ardor · verve · fervor · spiritedness · animation · zeal
tang
Sharp, biting flavor
- piquancyStimulating sharpness of taste
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
- zingVivid energy or sharpness
punch · kick · bite · tartness · sharpness · seasoning · acidity · liveliness · freshness · spark
vitality
Capacity for spirited existence
- vigorActive physical strength
- livelinessAnimated, energetic quality
- enjoymentState of relishing something
pleasure · delight · spice · thrill · exhilaration · savor · appreciation · fullness · richness · spirited
- Z wordszero, zone, zoo, zip, zap
- tanginesssourness, tartness, acidity, bite, sharpness
- pleasurepleasure, enjoyment, delight, gratification, contentment
- cooking termsbaste, baking, blanch, braise, roasting
- sensory qualitiestaste, smell, aroma, sound, texture
- taste and smelltaste, smell, flavor, gustation, olfaction
zestapathy
Absence of feeling
lethargy · listlessness · torpor · languor · weariness
zestindifference
Lack of interest
disinterest · boredom · aversion · distaste · disinclination
zestblandness
Absence of distinctive qualities
tastelessness · insipidity · flatness · dullness · vapidity
- lemon zestScraped peel for flavor
- zest for life
- orange zestGrated citrus peel
- citrus zestGrated fruit peel
- lime zestGrated citrus skin
zesty, zestful, zests, zested, zesting, zestfully, zestfulness