Microplane Premium Classic Zester Review: Worth Gifting?
The long, slim zester with an ultra sharp photo-etched blade made in the USA. A small kitchen tool that cooks reach for every week.
Yes, for cooks and bakers who do not already own one. It takes zest off without the bitter pith and turns cheese into fluffy snow [1]. Skip it if they already have a Microplane; most serious cooks do.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Blade | Photo-etched, made in USA [1] |
| Material | Surgical grade stainless steel [1] |
| Uses | Citrus, hard cheese, garlic, ginger, spices [1] |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe [1] |
| Length | About 12 in [1] |
| Color | Black handle [1] |
Pros and cons
- Very sharp, knuckles beware
- Not for soft cheese or big jobs
- Many cooks already own one
A small tool with a big following
Box graters tear citrus peel and grab knuckles. The Microplane is the slim grater that cooks keep beside the stove, and its name has become shorthand for the whole category.
The blade is made in the USA with a photo-etching process that gives it very sharp teeth [1]. It is surgical grade stainless steel, so it stays rust-free and keeps its edge [1].
It is a cheap gift that changes how someone cooks every week.
Zest, cheese, garlic and more
On citrus, the teeth take off only the flavorful rind and leave the bitter white pith behind [1]. That zest goes into dressings, baking and stir fries.
On parmesan, it makes fluffy mounds that melt fast over pasta and eggs [1]. It also turns garlic and ginger into a paste and grates whole nutmeg or cinnamon [1].
The listing even suggests shaving down a cork or the burnt edge of a cookie, which shows how often it gets used [1].
Sharp enough to respect
The blade is very sharp, and so are its edges. Grate slowly near the end of a lemon or a piece of cheese.
It is made for fine work. For a mountain of cheddar or soft cheese, a box grater is still the better tool.
And it is a common kitchen item, so check that the cook in question does not already own one.
Pairing it as a cook's gift
It is narrow and long, so it fits a stocking or a gift bag. Rinse it right after use, or put it in the dishwasher [1].
From this guide, it pairs well with the Lodge skillet for a cook's starter set, or with the Barefoot Contessa cookbook, whose recipes lean on lemon zest and parmesan.
Add a wedge of good parmesan and a lemon, and it becomes a ready dinner gift.
FAQ
What is a Microplane zester used for?
It zests citrus without the bitter pith, grates hard cheese like parmesan into fluffy piles, and turns garlic and ginger into paste [1]. It also grates whole spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. Most cooks use it several times a week once they have one [1]
Is the Microplane zester dishwasher safe?
Yes. The listing says it can go in the dishwasher, though a quick rinse straight after use is easiest [1]. A small kitchen brush on the underside of the blade clears out stuck bits of cheese or zest before they dry [1]
Is a Microplane a good cheap Christmas gift?
It is one of the best cheap gifts for a cook who does not have one. It is useful every week, built to last, and made by the brand chefs actually use. Pair it with a lemon and a wedge of parmesan to make it feel complete [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Microplane Premium Classic Zester
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.