McCormick Gourmet Lemon Peel

McCormick Gourmet Lemon Peel arrives on grocery shelves as a small, premium spice jar tucked into the spices and baking aisle — usually shelved beside other dried citrus zests, vanilla extracts, baking spices and dried herbs. Shoppers spot it near specialty baking ingredients and the ethnic/spice section rather than with fresh produce, because it’s a shelf‑stable convenience item. Its story is straightforward: California‑sourced lemons are dried and finely grated so home cooks can reach for bright lemon flavor without zesting a fresh fruit. The “Gourmet” label positions the product toward food‑curious home cooks and hobby bakers who value provenance and convenience — it reads like a specialist upgrade to everyday pantry basics rather than a kid‑focused or mass‑market novelty. Packaging is typically a small clear or opaque jar with a shake or pinch lid; the product is a dry, slightly granular powder with an immediate citrus aroma when opened and a concentrated zesty flavor when folded into batters, marinades, dressings or sprinkled on yogurt and salads. Label claims emphasize sourcing and flavor, implying ‘natural’ appeal, but there is no organic seal and the ingredient list names sodium sulfite as a preservative. In plain processing terms it is dehydrated and grated lemon peel with a preservative added to protect color and shelf life — a minimally altered natural ingredient given industrial preservation to extend usability. Rituals around use are quick and practical: a pinch into muffin batter, a teaspoon in a marinade, or a scatter over roasted vegetables when you want bright lemon character without grating a fresh lemon.