Apr 06, 2023

How To Make Dried Orange Peel At Home In Just 4 Steps

Do you throw away the orange peel after enjoying the sweetness of the fruit? If you do, you've probably ignored this great material. It can be used in a variety of ways, fresh or dried. Dried orange peel will be the ingredient for your cake, candy, or dish, while it is also the main ingredient for making herbal tea. So how to make dried orange peel style="font-weight: 400;"> at home? Check out the instructions on how to make it and some suggestions for using this ingredient!

1. Why should you keep the orange peel?

2. How to make dried orange peel at home

2.1 Wash the oranges

2.2 Peel oranges

2.3 Dry orange peel

2.4 Storage and preservation

3. What can dried orange peel be used for?

3.1 Treat odors in the kitchen

3.2 Make orange peel candy

3.3 Use for dishes or cakes

3.4 Make tea with dried orange peel

3.5 Decorate your cocktail glass

3.6 Use in bath water

4. Conclusion

1. Why should you keep the orange peel?

While we often concentrate on the benefits of an orange's interior, the peel offers numerous health advantages. As stated in this Healthline article, a single tablespoon (6 grams) of orange peel provides 14% of the daily value of vitamin C, nearly three times more than the fruit's flesh. This serving also contains four times more fiber, making it an excellent source of vitamin C.

Research shows that a diet rich in vitamin C and fiber heart promotes digestive health and may help protect against specific types of cancer. Furthermore, orange peels are abundant in provitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and calcium.

You can discover many other benefits of dried orange peel here!

2. How to make dried orange peel at home

It's easy to dry your orange peels at home with the oven or dry them outside, but you enjoy many benefits. Here are the steps for you to do them:

2.1 Wash the oranges

If you want to use dried orange peel for cooking, beautifying, or whatever, it's important to clean it first. The best way is to soak the oranges in warm water with a bit of salt for 15-20 minutes. Then, hand washes their shells to remove dirt, insects, and pesticides. Using oranges on the farm or growing your own at home is better.

2.2 Peel oranges

To prepare orange peels, use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove strips from the surface. Be careful not to include the white, spongy pulp, which can cause bitterness. Stack several strips and cut them horizontally into thin pieces (about 1/8 inch).

2.3 Dry orange peel

If using a dehydrator, arrange the peels on a tray, and allow air to circulate around them. Set the temperature to 135°F and dehydrate for approximately an hour or until the peels dry and crisp. The pieces will curl up as they dry.

Alternatively, you can use an oven by spreading the peels on a parchment-lined baking tray in a single layer and baking at 200°F for 30 minutes. If the peels are not yet crispy, turn off the oven and leave the tray inside for 15 minutes.

2.4 Storage and preservation

Storing dried orange peels is simple. Once the peels have cooled, you can put them in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, then store them in the refrigerator at room temperature or in a cool place.

Another option is grinding them into powder and storing them in a glass jar. It can be sprinkled on your cookies, cakes, or salads.

Tips:

Ensure the orange peels are thoroughly dried to prevent mold.
Properly dried peels should be brittle and snap easily when bent.
Store them carefully to maintain their quality.

3. What can dried orange peel be used for?

You cannot imagine all the uses of orange peel. It can be used for many of the following:

3.1 Treat odors in the kitchen

Use dried orange peel strips to combat unpleasant odor in your trash by placing them inside the bin and allowing their natural fragrance to neutralize the smell. You can also use other fruits, such as lemons and limes, for this purpose.

3.2 Make orange peel candy

For a delightful summer treat, try making orange peel candy with this simple recipe:

In a saucepan, combine 3 cups of sugar and 3 cups of water, and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the dried orange peels and reduce heat, simmering until tender (typically 40-45 minutes). Roll the candied peels in granulated sugar, place them on a foil sheet, and allow them to dry for 1-2 days.

Tips: Fresh orange peels can also be used for this recipe.

3.3 Use for dishes or cakes

Dried orange peels can be utilized in various culinary applications, such as adding them to sangria, flavoring simple syrup for pastries like baklava, or mixing with olive oil to create a zesty salad dressing. Enhance the aroma of soups by adding dried orange peel or its powdered form, which can be sprinkled on top of cakes.

3.4 Make tea with dried orange peel

Mix dried orange peels with herbs, flowers, or black tea for a unique herbal tea blend.

Put some orange peel in boiling water to get its flavor, then pour the tea into a glass and enjoy. You can also add some ice and honey to the tea if you drink it on a summer day. The pleasant scent of this tea will make you addicted!

3.5 Decorate your cocktail glass

Putting a strip of dried orange peel on a cocktail glass will make it look more impressive. The smell from the shell also gives you a different feeling when enjoying this drink.

3.6 Use in bath water

To elevate your bathing experience, store orange peels in a glass jar in the refrigerator and add some to your bathtub when showering. The warm water will release the citrus scent, and the citric acid in the peels will help exfoliate dead skin.

4. Conclusion

The instructions on how to make dried orange peel will help you add new ingredients to soups, cakes, and salads or decorate your dishes. It's simple to follow, but the benefits of this dry peel are indeed numerous. If you want lots of orange peels, buy them at TheRike. They are safe peels with a bitter taste, suitable for adding to any dish or drink.