Zesty Citrus Fresh Essential Oils — Tastes So Good!

By Caryn Gehlmann

Do you need to add a bit of zest to your recipe? Often citrus provides that nice extra touch of acidity needed in a recipe. Can you use citrus essential oils while cooking for that bit of fresh zestiness? Usually, you can, if you’re very careful to dilute it properly and you’re sure that no one has a food allergy or sensitivity to a particular essential oil.

Safety is paramount and you need to remember that one drop of lemon essential oil is equivalent to about two whole lemons. Read this blog for safety recommendations on food grade essential oils.

But citrus fresh essential oils can come to the rescue when you realize you don’t have a lime, lemon, or orange in the house and need a little more zesty flavor. It’s like Samin Nosrat, from the show Salt Fat Acid Heat says, “Acid balances flavor. Anything that tastes sour is a source of acid, yet on its own, acid isn’t particularly gratifying. It’s the way acid contrasts with other tastes that heightens our pleasure in foods. Salt, fat, sugar, bitterness and starch all invariably benefit from the welcome contract acid provides.”

Most of us are doing more cooking than usual because of extra time at home during the pandemic. So to have some fun this month I decided to share a few of my favorite recipes. Enjoy!

Add citrus fresh essential oils to make yummy recipes that tantalize your palate:

Garlic and Lime Dip

4 Tbs Basic mayo or vegan mayo
2 cloves crushed garlic
4 drops Lime essential oil

Crush the garlic with the drops of lime, mix well with mayo. You can use this as a replacement for mayo in your sandwich or as a fun veggie dip.

Lemon or Orange Pepper

1 oz. coarsely ground pepper
2 drops of either Lemon or Orange essential oil

In a small bowl mix both ingredients together and then place in a bottle or pepper shaker. Let it sit for three days before use. Lemon pepper is a good substitute for black pepper and is nice on fish and salads.

Orange Dream Drizzle

1 oz. of Olive Oil
5 drops of Bergamot essential oil

Mix both ingredients together and let it “marinate” for about 30 minutes. Then you scoop chocolate ice cream and drizzle about 1 teaspoon over it. And if you’re really feeling decadent add salted real whipped cream on top.

YUMMY! Psst… I got the inspiration for this lovely concoction at Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Shop, if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby.

I hope these recipes inspire you to create some new family favorites using citrus fresh essential oils to enhance flavors in salad dressings, marinades, yeasty-warm breads, key lime or lemon pies, or refreshing beverages. The possibilities are limitless! We’d love to hear about your inspirations on our Facebook page. Please share!

For those of you who enjoy baking — take a look at my sister’s recipes using essential oils to add some delicious and intriguing flavor to some traditional holiday favorites. Can’t get enough of aromatherapy? Learn how to come up with your own unique blend — download our free workbook, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils, for step-by-step advice and a coupon for your next order.