Epicarp is a botanical term that refers to the outermost layer of a fruit or vegetable. It is also commonly known as the skin, rind, peel or husk. Depending on the specific fruit or vegetable, there may be additional synonyms for the epicarp. For example, the epicarp of an orange is commonly referred to as the zest or pith. In the case of grapes, the epicarp is known as the skin or cuticle. Regardless of the specific synonym used, the epicarp serves to protect the fruit or vegetable and can be utilized in cooking and flavoring dishes.