Wash and dry the lemons.  2. Use a citrus zester or cheese grater and slightly push on the rind of the fruit going back and forth in a smooth motion. Rotate the lemon as needed until you get all the zest needed. Note: There is a white layer between the lemon rind and the fruit that is called the pith. When you are zesting the lemon, stop zesting and move to another spot on the lemon before you zest the pith. This will keep your zest from becoming bitter.