The kitchen tool you never knew you needed

I never liked using fruit zest.  The pieces always seemed too long a stringy and chopping it was a hassle.  At an event recently, we got a fruit dip that had lemon zest in such large pieces that we had to chew it.  You should not have to chew a marshmallow fruit dip.

My feelings toward zest - the the essential oils and flavors it offered - changed when I learned about micro plane graters.  These tools are fabulous and can be used for zesting citrus fruit, mincing garlic or fresh ginger, grating chocolate - anything you need very small pieces.  I never knew how much I needed one until I had it, now I won't do workout.  I still have a zester for those few times that I want long strips for things like making essential oils or for decorations, but never again for cooking.