How to Make Dried Orange Peel (and a Tea Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How to dry out orange peels for tea? ›

Use a knife to scrape off any pith clinging to the peels. No-cook method: Lay the strips on a plate (with the inside of the peels facing upwards) and let them dry in a warm, well-circulated, sunny place at room temperature for two to three days; until they have shriveled, lost their moisture, and are crisp.

Orange peel tea is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties that can strengthen the immune system and help to prevent diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and the flu. Orange peel tea is also a great weight loss option, as it has excellent amounts of potassium.

There are different ways to brew orange peels in tea — diced and dried or fresh and steeped. I prefer the latter because the tea ends up more flavourful and fragrant, and feels really comforting on a cold winter's day.

In fact, boiling reduces vitamin C content more than any other cooking method. ... Because vitamin C is water-soluble and sensitive to heat, it can leach out of vegetables when they're immersed in hot water.

Orange peels contain flavonoids – like poly methoxy flavones (PMFs) and hesperidin – and other phytochemicals that are highly beneficial for your health. Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds that help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It also contains higher amounts of certain nutrients.

Can boiled orange peel be used on the skin? A. Yes, but it shouldn't be overboiled. The anecdotal evidence suggests that orange peels' antibacterial, antifungal & anti-inflammatory properties help clear the skin, prevent acne and make you look flawless.

Promotes Lung Function

Blessed with huge quantities of vitamin C, orange peels help to dilate the phlegm, ease chest congestion and get rid of mucus from the lungs.

To make a natural citrus cleaner using orange peels, take a good handful and put them in a mason jar and cover with white vinegar. Leave submerged for a couple of weeks, occasionally shaking every couple of days.

Pour water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove saucepan from heat and then add the tea bag, mandarin orange, cinnamon, honey, and cinnamon sticks. Steep, covered, for about 10 minutes. Next remove the tea bag and pour the tea through a mesh strainer into a mug.

Orange peels contain citric acid that helps lighten and brighten the skin organically. Regular use of orange peel powder can help remove tan and give your skin a youthful radiance. Also, the bleaching effect of the powder will help reduce any pigmentation, dark spots or scars caused due to skin infections.

Does dried orange peel go bad? ›

How long do orange peels last? If stored properly, dried orange peels can last for years. If you make a larger quantity, I recommend freezing them in air-tight freezer bags for longer storage. Although the dried peels won't go bad, they will lose their potency and flavor over time.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, orange zest is not the same as orange peel. Orange peel includes the white inner part of the peel, which is missing in zest. Dried orange peel in most cases is in fact, dehydrated orange zest with the white part included.

You can store citrus peels in the freezer for later use in co*cktails. When thawed, the peels are not crisp and may not spray zest atop co*cktails as they do when they're fresh, but their oils are still present (and release easily).

Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of a baking sheet. Then, place the peels on the parchment paper in a single layer, without any overlap. Bake the peels for 30 to 60 minutes at 200 °F (93 °C).

A mandoline is a great tool for making the rounds even, but if you don't have one simply use a sharp knife. Bake the citrus. Place the citrus slices in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake them at 170 degrees F (yes, very low) until they're completely dried out. Cool & enjoy.