A simple, $13 accessory from Microplane is gaining traction as a surprisingly effective kitchen tool: a set of grating lids designed for Mason jars. These lids – one with a fine grater, the other with a ribbon grater – attach to standard wide-mouth Mason jars, turning them into convenient catch-all containers for zesting, grating cheese, or shredding vegetables.
The core idea is simple: eliminate mess and streamline food prep. Instead of grating directly onto a cutting board, you grate directly into a jar. This solves a common kitchen frustration – scattered zest or grated bits all over the counter.
The fine grater is ideal for citrus zest, hard cheeses, and spices, while the ribbon grater is designed for shredding softer produce. Reviewers on Amazon and former Kitchn executive lifestyle director Lisa Freedman highlight the accessory’s practicality: “All of my lemon zest goes directly into the jar. You know, instead of all over the counter.”
Why this matters: The trend toward minimalist, multi-use kitchen tools is growing. Many cooks already use Mason jars for storage, pickling, or fermentation. Microplane’s grater set leverages existing habits by making jars even more versatile. It’s an affordable solution to a small, but annoying problem, and it taps into a broader desire for cleaner, more efficient food preparation.
Ultimately, Microplane’s Mason jar grater set is a low-cost, high-convenience upgrade that proves sometimes the best solutions are the simplest.
