Citrus Fruit Tips

Beware of "the grapefruit effect"
Grapefruit contains a plant chemical that may cause side effects when taken with certain medications. People who are taking prescription drugs for heart disease, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure should check with their physicians to see if the medicine interacts with grapefruit. If so, alternative drugs can be prescribed.

Squeeze and serve
One of the few flavors that can be used in both desserts and savory dishes, citrus has a different effect depending on how it’s used. In sweet and creamy desserts, such as cheesecake (made with low-fat cream cheese, of course), the acid in lemon or lime juice cuts sweetness. In main courses, it gives a boost to the flavors of shrimp, salmon, and chicken, while adding a flavorful zing to salads.

Tools to use
Using the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh citrus juice takes just a few squeezes or the flick of a zester. These tools will help you get the most from your fruit:

Hand reamer– low-tech, high-yield: When drawer space is limited, reach for this ages-old tool—it does a great job of extracting every bit of juice from the fruit. Pick out most of the seeds from the fruit before juicing and you’ll spend less time fishing them out of the juice.

Juicer/strainer– morning miracle: When you need large quantities of juice for breakfast drinks or homemade lemon or orange sherbet, use this tool, which fits over a catch jar. The convenience factor: The juicer strains out the seeds and pulp, making the job much neater.

Peeler– making it pretty: This tool creates long strips of peel from lemons and oranges. Use it to create dramatic yellow and orange ribbons to decorate holiday platters and to float in punches.

Zester– the workhorse: When a recipe calls for shredded peel or zest (the terms are used interchangeably), pull out a zester. Draw it in short strokes across the peel of the fruit, removing only the colored part. If you keep the pieces of peel you remove short, you won’t have to chop them before adding them to the recipe.