Lemon zest

Why we love this botanical

L emon peel brings a bright, lively citrus scent with sparkling freshness and soft, yellow bitters. The peel gives infusions a direct lift, with a clean, sunny tone that is inviting and lightly aromatic. In blends, lemon peel forms a bridge between fresh herbs, flowers, and fruity elements.

During steeping, volatile citrus oils develop, giving the infusion a shiny freshness, followed by a mild, elegant bitterness that adds structure and tension. Lemon peel clarifies sweeter botanicals, makes floral blends more vibrant, and gives spices a precise, fresh framing.

Habitat & Origin

Lemons (Citrus limon) from Mediterranean and subtropical coastal regions develop a powerful citral profile under sun and sea wind. For infusions, the thin yellow zest is manually removed and slowly dried to preserve color and freshness. Maison Tisane selects peels with a bright yellow tint, sparkling aroma, and no wax residues for a clean, refined citrus infusion.

Active compounds

Lemon peels contain limonene, citral, geraniol, and soft bitters that together form the vibrant, sparkling citrus tone. These compounds provide a bright, fresh lift with a subtly dry structure. In blends, lemon peel works as an elegant clarifier that balances sweetness, lifts herbs, and makes floral touches shine.

The Citrus limonum pericarpium, pure and in full growth

Ayurvedic approach

Lemon peel is seen in Ayurveda as warm, clarifying, and lightly aromatic. The sunny bitters set Kapha in motion and can gently stimulate Pitta. Due to the dry, light citrus tone, it can easily slightly increase Vata, so the herb is mainly used subtly in bright blends. In Mediterranean citrus cultures, the peel was considered 'sun peel': the perfume of early mornings. Energetically, it feels like a warm, fresh breath above the sea — ordering, sparkling, and inviting.

Thermal energy (Virya) light heating

Pitta

Increasing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light increasing

Vata

Increasing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light increasing

Kapha

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light balancing

Flavour profile & Blending

Intensity

Strong

Accessibility

Accessible

Character

citrus, bitter

Role in the blend

Strong herb (2.5–5%): contributes noticeably to the flavour profile and should be dosed with care.

The indicated percentage refers to the approximate weight proportion of this herb within the total blend, but it can of course be adjusted to give the herb a more dominant or more subtle role.

Lemon peels refresh blends with a tight, sparkling citrus tone and support by elegantly balancing heat and bitterness. It lifts mint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass to a crystal-clear citrus line, while giving floral botanicals like chamomile and rose a vibrant framing. With rooibos or cinnamon, a soft marmalade glow is created; with hibiscus and rose hip, lemon peel gives a fierce, modern freshness. It acts as an aromatic backbone that brings clarity, tension, and lightness.

Lemon peels shine in pastry: lemon cake, cheesecake, shortbread cookies, almond pastries, and panna cotta get extra lift and tension. The fresh bitters break through creaminess and accentuate vanilla and fruit tones. Also in savory dishes—such as roasted vegetables, fish with herbs, quinoa with citrus, and risotto—lemon peel ensures a clarifying, sunny seasoning.

More flavour details

Selection guide (aroma directions)

Intensity

Freshness

Citrus

Fruity

Floral

Spicy / Herbal

Earthy / Woody

Food pairing (structure)

Sweetness

Sourness

Bitterness

Astringency

Body

Aftertaste length

Sharpness / Pungency

Blending notes: vegetal (3/10), resinous (2/10)

Experience Lemon zest

Discover the versatility of this botanical in our blends, or use it as the foundation for your own creation in our Blendstudio.

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Ancient Herb

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Why we love this botanical