How to make orange peel. How to make orange peel at home: the easy way. Where is this seasoning used

Kira Stoletova

Orange peel has numerous beneficial properties, due to which it is widely used in traditional medicine and cooking, but when consumed in unlimited quantities, it can cause harm to the body.

What is zest

Orange peel is an orange peel with a rich aroma. It has small pores containing essential oils that provide citrus with a scent. Orange peel has a bittersweet taste, in some cases sugary.

For the first time, citrus peel was used in food in France.

The composition of the zest and its benefits

The calorie content of orange peel is 97 kcal.

Energy value per 100 g of product:

  • 1.5 g protein
  • 0.2 g fat
  • 14.4 g of carbohydrates.

Nutritional value per 100 g of product:

  • 0.024 g saturated fatty acids
  • up to 72.5 g of water,
  • 0.8 g evil,
  • up to 40.6 g of dietary fiber.

Vitamins:

  • 0.9 mg niacin equivalent
  • 0.25 mg tocopherol,
  • 136 mg of ascorbic acid
  • 30 mcg folic acid
  • 0.17 6mg pyridoxine
  • 0.49 mg pantothenic acid
  • 0.09 mg riboflavin
  • 0.12 mg thiamine
  • 21 mcg retinol equivalent.

Minerals:

  • 1 mcg selenium
  • 92 mg copper
  • 0.25 mg zinc
  • 0.8 mg iron
  • 21 mg phosphorus
  • 212 mg potassium
  • 3 mg sodium
  • 22 mg magnesium
  • 161 mg calcium.

The beneficial properties of orange peel are associated with its rich chemical composition:

  • pectin allows you to improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract,
  • phytoncides are natural antibiotics,
  • hesperidin is a lipid-absorbing substance that accelerates fat burning processes and allows you to regulate weight,
  • ascorbic acid in an increased amount helps prevent the risk of developing arthritis and arthrosis, provides the body with calcium and strengthens the skeletal system,
  • antioxidants prevent the appearance of cancer cells,
  • essential oils have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Dried citrus peel is beneficial when consumed regularly. It provides normal sugar levels for the body and has a mild choleretic effect. It facilitates the work of the liver, has cleansing properties, regulates the water-salt balance and prevents puffiness.

The harm from orange peel

If the recommended intake is exceeded, citrus peel is harmful to health, especially in case of an allergic reaction to oranges. The product is prohibited for people with a history of intestinal disorders, stomach ulcers or gastritis.

How to get the zest

For self-preparation of the zest at home, washed oranges are required. You get it like this:

  • removed from the fruit using a special knife for cleaning vegetables,
  • grated,
  • cut with a simple kitchen knife.

The peel is cut to the bitter, white layer underneath. Do not let it get into the seasoning.

The peel removed from the citrus, if necessary, is additionally crushed and used immediately or dried for subsequent use. For this:

  • a baking sheet or tray is covered with parchment paper,
  • spread the cut crust in a thin layer, evenly distributing it,
  • leave for 2-3 days in a dry place with good ventilation.

After drying, the peel, removed from a ripe orange, retains a bright color, and the aroma from it becomes more intense. When a white, bitter layer remains on the peel, it turns brown after drying.

Practical use

Orange peel is widely used in everyday life.

Cooking

In the culinary business, orange peel is used as a spice that gives desserts and baked goods an original taste. It is also used in the preparation of dishes from meat, chicken and fish, in the production of alcoholic beverages. It is also used to make confitures and preserves.

Orange peel is added as one of the additional ingredients when brewing tea and coffee, imparting a delicate aroma to the drinks and enhancing their tonic properties.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine makes extensive use of citrus peels.

  • The oils contained in the peel are an effective remedy against diseases of the oral cavity, therefore infusions with it are used for preventive and therapeutic rinses.
  • Orange peels are used against a cold cough by dissolving mucus in the respiratory tract.
  • In case of ARVI diseases, dried peels are laid out indoors as an aromatherapy agent. This helps to increase immunity.
  • Citrus has sedative properties and is beneficial for insomnia and depression.
  • Eating citrus peels can help relieve bouts of heartburn and nausea.
  • Orange peel, brewed in boiling water and infused for 10-15 minutes, promotes weight loss, activates metabolic processes in the body.

Cosmetology

Orange peel is an active ingredient in masks and scrubs to combat fine lines and wrinkles, giving the face and neck a fresh look.

Conclusion

Orange peel has a delicate flavor, rich aroma and rich chemical composition, thanks to which it is widely used in cooking, folk medicine and cosmetology. It is easy to make a product at home. When consumed within acceptable limits, orange peel has health benefits.

We are used to eating oranges and throwing away their peels. However, a very useful ingredient is obtained from them - orange peel. We will tell you what it is and how to use it in the household.

What is it

Orange peel is the top bright orange layer of the fruit's rind. It has a characteristic citrus scent due to its high content of essential oils. The taste of the zest can be characterized as sweet and tart with light bitter nuances. The white part of the peel, located under the orange peel, is no longer considered and has no practical value due to an unpleasant bitter taste.

How to cook

Before making an orange peel, wash the fruit thoroughly. Citrus peels are porous and easily get dirty because of this. Therefore, it is recommended not only to rinse the fruits under water, but to rub them well with a sponge or a medium-hard brush.

Please note: oranges must be fresh to prepare the zest. If the fruit has been stored for a long time, the rind will be less tasty and aromatic.


To get the orange peel easier, pour boiling water over the fruit. You can remove the zest with a special or ordinary sharp knife made of metal or ceramic, as well as with a fine grater.

You can eat the orange peel fresh, and if necessary, you can keep it for a long time in one of the following ways:

  • Drying. On average, this takes 5-7 days, but the exact time depends on the temperature and humidity in the room.
  • Candying. One part of the zest is mixed with two parts of sugar.

Let's answer a common question: is it allowed for children to eat citrus peels? Yes, but in small amounts to avoid allergies.


How to store

Dry orange peel can be kept in jars with well-fitting lids or tight bags with an inner foil layer. It is allowed to store them in any dark and dry place; a refrigerator is not required at all.

But if you decide to make a zest with sugar, then it is advisable to keep it in the cold. As an alternative to the refrigerator, a cellar or storage room on an unheated balcony in winter is suitable.


Is it good for your health?

The benefits and harms of orange peel depend on the volume of its consumption and the state of human health. In general, citrus peel has a beneficial effect on the body, both internally and externally.

  • Cosmetologists recommend using it as part of homemade masks and scrubs to combat fine wrinkles and other age-related changes, as well as brighten the skin of the face and remove pigmentation.
  • Eating orange peel in food allows you to relieve the liver, increase immunity and help in the treatment of colds, normalize digestion and acidity of the gastrointestinal tract, and maintain the water-salt balance. Dishes with lemon peel can improve the overall emotional state of a person, lift the mood and help relieve stress and fatigue.


How great is the benefit of the orange peel, so great is its harm for people with individual citrus intolerance. Their use can lead to a runny nose, sneezing, rash and other allergy symptoms.

People without orange peel intolerance have nothing to fear, for them the benefits far outweigh the possible harm. If you use citrus peels and dishes containing them in moderation, no unpleasant reactions of the body will follow. It is worth overeating the zest, and skin rashes are not excluded, but they quickly pass without consequences.

Important: the benefits of orange peel for gastrointestinal diseases are undeniable. But about the frequency and amount of its use, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.

Where is used

Let's take a look at the main areas where orange peel is most commonly used.

Cooking

One of the most common uses for zest is in cooking. The unique taste and aroma of this ingredient go well with a wide variety of products. They nicely complement meat or fish, go well with desserts and pastries, enhance the tonic effect of tea or coffee.

The use of the zest is not limited to this. They make a delicious filling for cakes from it, mixing it in a crushed form with cream, on its basis they make moonshine, liqueurs, cookies and jam ... It is difficult to find that culinary field where citrus zest would not find application.


Here are a couple of examples of recipes that are based on it.

Turkish tea

Do you want to add oriental flavor to your usual tea? It couldn't be easier - you need an orange peel and a few simple ingredients.

  1. Pour a quart of water into a saucepan or small saucepan.
  2. Add the prepared orange peel to taste, as well as a little pepper, cloves and a cinnamon stick to taste.
  3. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  4. When everything starts to boil, toss some ginger and dried apples into the mixture. Continue cooking, covered over low heat. Approximately five minutes is sufficient.
  5. Toss in some mint to your liking, then turn off the heat, cover the saucepan or saucepan with a lid, and let sit for a few minutes.


Candied fruit

One of the simple, but popular dishes. Delicious, bright, aromatic. Here's how to make candied peel from orange peel or other citrus fruits:

  • Take 300 grams of zest and place it in a saucepan.
  • Fill with water so that it covers the entire zest, then add a little salt and put on fire. After bringing to a boil, simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • After that, drain the water, rinse the zest under cool running water, then refill with water with a small addition of salt and repeat the boiling and rinsing procedure. Then all this will need to be repeated at least one more time.
  • After that, fold the zest in a colander and let the liquid drain.


  • Take a small saucepan and combine a glass of sugar with a glass of water. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Place the zest in boiling syrup and cook until the liquid has completely evaporated. Be guided that this should take about half an hour.
  • Then add some lemon juice for flavor.
  • Line a baking sheet with special baking paper, then start spreading the zest evenly on it. After that, you need to dry it. You can just leave it for a couple of days at room temperature, or you can dry it for three hours in a warm oven. But do not overdry so that the candied fruits do not harden.

Afterwards, be sure to store candied orange peels in a dark, dry place in an airtight container.


Cosmetics

From orange peel, excellent products are obtained for whitening and rejuvenating the skin, and improving hair at home. Here are some recipes.

Please note that if you have a citrus allergy in your food, it is not necessary that it will show up with topical application of orange peel. But it's worth checking - apply a small amount of the product with it on the skin of the hand and wait a day before using it on the entire face or body.


Milk scrub

This scrub has a mild exfoliating effect and does not injure the skin. For its preparation, finely chopped zest is mixed with fat sour cream or thick natural yogurt. Next, the resulting substance is applied to the previously steamed skin of the face and body with massage movements, left for 10-15 minutes and washed off. After a shower, it is advisable to use a nourishing cream.


Hair rinse

The rinse gives the hair shine and shine, makes it easier to comb. The recipe is simple: fresh or dried citrus peel is poured with boiling water in a proportion of 1-2 tablespoons per glass of water. The mixture is allowed to brew and cool for 3-5 hours, then filter and rinse the hair with it after shampoo and conditioner.

Honey mask

Useful properties of the product: smoothing of complexion and effective cleaning of pores. Honey and zest are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the face with gentle massaging movements. Wait 8-10 minutes, then wash off the product with warm water, then apply a light moisturizer.


Bath remedy

Fresh or dried orange peel is poured with boiling water in the proportion of 1-2 cups of zest per liter of water. Then the mixture is cooled and filtered, half a glass of sea salt and honey or olive oil is added, plus, if desired, a few drops of your favorite essential oil. The resulting liquid is poured into a bath.

Treatment

Zest is part of many traditional medicine recipes. This is what is useful for humans, orange peel specifically:

  • Peel potion will relieve heartburn. How to prepare it: mix a tablespoon of orange peel and licorice root with a liter of water, boil, cool and add honey to taste. It should be taken 2-3 times a day shortly before meals for a month.


  • Candied orange peel is an excellent dry cough remedy. The product soothes mucous membranes and promotes the separation of phlegm
  • A decoction of the peel will help improve appetite and normalize digestion. The rind is also useful for rinsing in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the oral cavity. Recipe: 2-3 tablespoons per liter of boiling water.
  • Inhalation with a hot decoction of zest, orange leaves and eucalyptus will help with colds to relieve nasal congestion and alleviate the general condition.

Other uses

The list of things you can do at home from orange peel is not limited to medicines, cosmetics and food. What does it mean? And the fact that it is applicable even as an alternative to household chemicals. It helps to effectively remove plaque, rust stains, limescale in kettles and other utensils.


To prepare the cleaning agent, thoroughly crushed or ground citrus peel is mixed with water to a thick slurry, salt and / or soda are optionally added and applied to the dirt. Then they wait 5-10 minutes and remove the dried paste with a cloth rag, after which they rinse the treated area with running water.

Summary

Now you know what orange peel is, and what are the benefits and harms of orange peel. Remember, this household-friendly ingredient is quick and easy to make, and then useful for cooking, face and body care, and even healing.

Plants, certain parts of them, seeds and fruits have long been used by people as spices - aromatic and flavoring additives to food. The aromatic and luxurious zest of citrus fruits is an exquisite spice that brings health benefits, and how to prepare and use it - in our article. Its mild spicy taste and light aroma make any dish "play", demonstrating the versatility of all ingredients, including the simplest!

The zest is the outermost shell of citrus fruits: lemon, lime, orange, orange, grapefruit and tangerine. This shell is intensely colored with pigments, covered with pores (glands) filled with essential oils. Essential oils in glandular sacs, possessing volatility, flavor the dish and give it a light piquant aftertaste.

How to make dried zest

The peel of citrus fruits consists of two layers: the upper, pigmented and etheric, and the lower, white, dense and springy subcrustal layer. This white mass should not go into the raw material for the zest, as it is bitter and can spoil the final taste of the cooked dish.

Essential oils, which are so rich in the outer shell of citrus fruits, are found in the etheric glands, which look like pores. Here we must carefully remove them with a knife! The thinner you cut the rind, the better the rind.

Before preparing the zest, the citrus fruit must be thoroughly washed with a brush, placed in a deep cup and covered with boiling water for 1 minute. This is a necessary step in the preparation of citrus zest, as growers often treat the surface with protective chemicals.

If the surface of the fruit looks too shiny or sticky to the touch, then, most likely, the products are treated with a wax composition, so before getting the zest, you need to stand the fruit in boiling water. Next, remove the moisture with a towel and carefully cut off the top layer of the peel.

To cut off the upper pigmented layer, you need a very sharp knife with a thin blade, with which the zest is removed, usually with a thin tape. You can purchase a special peel-off knife, with which the upper shell is cut off in a 2 mm layer in the form of a tape. This cutting allows you to get a very high quality product.

Often, a grater with medium to small, sharp knives is used to obtain fresh rind. We do not recommend doing this, since frequent grating knives allow the ether-bearing glands, as a result, the ethers evaporate, and the smell becomes weak or completely disappears.

Lay out the cut pigmented shell in a thin layer on a porcelain flat dish. It is advisable to cover the bottom of the dish with a sheet of white paper, and lay out zest tape on top for drying.

During drying, turn shavings by turning the other side. The finished product becomes brittle and crumbles easily between the fingers. Usually, in a kitchen, the skin completely loses moisture within 3 days. Then grind it in a mortar or crush it with a rolling pin until it crumbs and put it in a glass jar with a tight lid.

How to freeze zest

Frozen zest in the juice of the eponymous citrus is an impressive ingredient in sauces, gravies, aromatic additives in drinks and desserts. In general, it is a universal spice in many recipes!

Cut off the top zest layer of citrus, put it in ice cube trays and fill it with the juice of the fruit we just peeled. We put it in freeze! The spice is ready! Most often, lemon and orange zest are frozen.

The ethereal shell sprinkled with sugar is an excellent addition to tea and other drinks, to the fillings of sweet pies, to flavor desserts, casseroles, babas and puddings.

Typically, candied zest is made from orange, lemon, lime, or tangerine.

Let's take a look at the benefits of citrus peel and the features of the use of each of its types.

Lemon zest

This is the most consumed zest in cooking! Before removing the top etheric layer of the lemon peel, you need to especially try! We recommend that you do this work very diligently, because the lower subcrustal layer of white is very bitter, and if part of it gets into food, the food will taste bitter.

If you competently and thinly cut off the ether-bearing layer from the lemon peel, and chose a really ripe lemon, then its color after drying retains its lemon-yellow color. If you capture too much of the white subcrustal mass, then the zest will be an uneven yellow color with brown spots.

Useful properties of lemon peel

The health benefits of lemon peel are so great that it would not be wise to neglect its use in recipes! Lemon zest is literally saturated with vitamins, minerals and valuable organic acids.

100 g of the etheric layer contains 129 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 160 mg of potassium and 134 mg of calcium!

  • The outer rind of lemon is good for our bones by saturating them with bioactive calcium! Together with vitamin C, it prevents the development of arthritis and arthrosis, joint rheumatism and osteoporosis.
  • Removes toxic substances and radionuclides - due to the high content of bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids also prevent the formation and accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels.
  • Eating lemon peel will help mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, which is associated with metabolic disorders of oxidative reactions in the body.
  • The saturation of the crust with potassium makes it an effective tool for strengthening the cardiovascular system, as well as for normalizing blood pressure.
  • Lemon peel is full of antioxidants, as well as the substances salvestrol Q40 and limonene - the protectors of cells from their transformation into cancerous ones.
  • Eating ground dried lemon peel will keep your mouth healthy as the vitamin C in it helps with scurvy, bleeding gums, and gingivitis. It can also whiten tooth enamel.

The use of lemon peel in cooking

The essential top layer of lemon does not contain citric acid, and therefore, when added to any dishes, it does not transfer its acid to them, but only an easily recognizable aroma. As a rule, peel powder is poured a couple of minutes before the dish is ready and insisted for another 3-4 minutes.

You can use this lemon product in a wide variety of dishes - from vegetables and meat - to any pastry shop! In addition to hot and cold dishes, they are enriched with all kinds of drinks - with or without alcohol.

The ethereal lemon shell gives a special taste and aroma to fish and meat dishes, gravy to them, as well as jellied meat, aspic, casseroles and puddings. Soups and hodgepodge, salads and pates acquire an amazing aroma and taste if you add dried lemon peel to them.

All of the above properties and uses also apply to lime zest, only lime has a more sophisticated aroma, which is reflected in the aroma of its crust.

Orange peel

The juicy pulp of the orange is inedible due to its bitter and sour taste. Therefore, in cooking, only its upper porous shell is used, which resembles lemon in aroma, and orange in properties and chemical composition.

Orange peel has a much more subtle flavor than orange or lemon.

Useful properties of orange peel

  • Orange peel is very beneficial for decreased appetite or metabolic disorders. Ground crust in food will help the liver and kidneys when they are prone to stone formation, i.e. it has a diuretic and choleretic effect.
  • Strengthens the immune system, demonstrates an antioxidant effect. Eliminates vitamin deficiencies, improves blood counts, treats anemia.
  • Increases the elasticity and strength of connective tissues, slows down the aging of the body.
  • It has an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect.
  • The scent of orange is a great antidepressant! Creates a positive mood and relieves feelings of longing.

The use of orange peel in cooking

It is used mainly in confectionery (women, Easter cakes, muffins), in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, in various desserts. As a spice with a delicate aroma - in meat and fish gravies, in fillings for poultry and fish.

Shredded white foods, such as cottage cheese, yoghurt, protein creams or rice, turn juicy, light yellow.

Orange peel

Orange is a wonderful vitamin fruit. In addition to the healthy pulp of an orange, its zest, as a spice addition, will significantly increase the nutritional value of the dishes you add it to. Essential orange oil is squeezed out of the top layer of the fruit peel.

How to cook the zest, we have already described above. By the way, it is easier to cut it from an orange than from a thin-skinned orange or lemon, since the subcrustal layer is not as bitter and tart as theirs.

Before removing the zest layer from the orange, the fruit must be thoroughly washed with a brush and soaked in hot water for a minute. This technique will help get rid of potential chemicals on the surface of the peel. If you do not do this, then the cooked product can be harmful to health.

After drying the cut peel, pour it into a dry jar and store under the lid in a dark place.

The essential layer of the orange peel is the healthiest part of the fruit! If the benefits are so great, then why are we so habitually throwing away the peel? We hope that after our information you will not throw away anything that will help improve the quality of your life.

  • As in the peel of a lemon, a huge amount of vitamins and mineral compounds are concentrated in the outer layer of an orange. It is also rich in pectin and is loaded with essential oil that has impressive medicinal properties. It is obtained by cold pressing, or distillation.
  • Pectins and fiber have a beneficial and mild effect on the intestines, improve all processes in the gastrointestinal tract. The nutrients in the orange peel improve its motor function and prevent the development of putrefactive bacteria in it. They also contribute to satiety and relieve hunger, harmonize metabolism.
  • Dried and fresh outer shells of oranges reduce blood cholesterol levels, increase immunity (due to vitamins C and B group). Mineral salts of phosphorus and calcium strengthen bones and restore healthy joints.
  • Essential oils, organic acids and pectins normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, purifying and improving their elasticity.
  • The crusts help the liver to cope with the stress, as they have a choleretic effect.


The use of orange peel in cooking

Orange peel actually retains its orange color when dried, slightly discoloring white products. It is used in the recipe exclusively for confectionery and desserts, as well as in the production of alcoholic and other beverages.

But there are no limits for experimenters! Try including it in fish and meat dishes. It turns out very spicy!

The peel of tangerines for peeling the zest is used very rarely - due to its thinness and the difficulty of removing it from the subcrustal layer. When dried, it does not lose its tangerine flavor.

Useful properties of tangerine peel

What are the benefits of mandarin zest? Its medicinal properties are slightly different from the properties of other citrus fruits, although they partially repeat them. But there are also features:

  • The top layer of the tangerine peel (its infusion) has high expectorant properties and is often used in the treatment of bronchitis to dilute secretions. Tangerine peel powder in folk medicine is used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
  • It is a reliable astringent for diarrhea.
  • Demonstrates a calming effect, stabilizes mood, is useful in depressive conditions.


The use of tangerine peel in cooking

Dried mandarin peel powder is used to flavor baked goods, pastries, creams, ice cream and other desserts. Mandarin zest has a very delicate and refined aroma.

It is also used as a light spice in sauces and gravies for fish, meat and vegetables, and is added to pie fillings.

Grapefruit zest

Grapefruit is a hybrid fruit resulting from natural cross-pollination. But because of this, it did not become less useful than other types of citrus fruits, and even - on the contrary! A hybrid of lemon and orange is striking in its richness of chemical composition and medicinal properties.

Removing the zest from a grapefruit is easy! It is not necessary to cut it thinly, because the subcrustal white layer does not taste bitter, but has a rather pleasant taste. The outermost shell has a very multifaceted and strong bouquet of aromas and perfectly emphasizes the taste of dishes to which it is added as a soft spice.

Useful properties of grapefruit zest

All parts of the grapefruit are extremely healthy! But the outer layer of the rind has its own secrets!

  • The brewed crust of the fruit helps to lower blood sugar, improve well-being in diabetes mellitus.
  • Relieves heartburn, helps with diseases of the stomach and liver.
  • Grapefruit rind, both as an independent dessert and as a spice, has a beneficial effect on metabolism, often accelerating and normalizing it. Therefore, all parts of the fruit are used in many well-known weight loss diets.
  • Massage with the dried and powdered top grapefruit crust helps to get rid of cellulite.

The use of grapefruit zest in cooking

The top layer of the peel is used in confectionery and baked goods, for the manufacture of alcoholic liqueurs and non-alcoholic beverages. Also, the delicacy aroma of the essential grapefruit peel enhances desserts and fruit salads.

Citrus zest is an amazing spice that simply has to be in your storerooms! Having tasted its aroma and soft taste, you will add it to almost all dishes!

This soft spice, with a weak taste, therefore, it can be included in the recipe in large quantities - in comparison with the use of other spices. The measure is the taste of the dish - the appearance of a slight bitterness indicates the sufficiency of the spice volume.

In winter, and in other seasons, we often eat citrus fruits. And after peeling the pulp, carelessly throw away the peel. And in vain! Indeed, many culinary recipes - not only desserts, but also sauces, meat dishes - involve the use of lemon or orange peel. And she is not always at hand. In this article, I will cover five uses for this product.

But first, you need to learn how to make dried orange peel at home. There is nothing difficult in this, the whole process will take you a maximum of 5 minutes. There are two ways to do this, and both are extremely simple.

How is orange peel used?

For biscuits, a citrus flavor is often used, which normalizes the sweetness of the dessert with its acid. And this orange zest should be finely pounded. You can do this in a coffee grinder, but there is an easy way to make fresh fruit. What is the advantage of this option? The fact that fresh zest retains its rich taste and aroma, while when dried, some of these beneficial qualities simply evaporate. What to do in this case?

  1. We take one orange and wash it thoroughly. Farmers spray citrus orchards from pests, and sellers process the fruits so that they do not spoil. Therefore, wash thoroughly and under hot water.
  2. We take a grater with a fine grate and begin to cut the orange peel, cutting off its orange part.
  3. We leave the white, bitter one. That's it - you have a small portion of fresh orange peel.

Second way

Also my orange. But we arm ourselves not with a grater, but with a knife.

  • Carefully, so as not to touch the white part of the fruit, cut off the orange peel. You can do this with one continuous tape. By the way, such a spiral can be hung and it will serve you for some time as ... an air freshener.

  • But if you have other culinary types of orange peel, we will continue to cook it. Lay a baking sheet with cooking paper.
  • Place the peel so that the pieces do not touch each other.
  • We turn on the oven on the smallest fire, and also open the door slightly. The oven should be warm, but not hot. Place the baking sheet in the oven.
  • Supervise the zest as often as possible. It should be dried, not baked.
  • After 20 minutes or half an hour, the pieces will harden, and if they are large, they will curl.

  • They should be gradually cooled to room temperature and transferred to an airtight storage container.

  • Before using in a dough or cream, the pieces can be ground into a powder in a coffee grinder.

Where to use orange peel

In addition to desserts, this product can be used in marinades. The orange will impart sourness and sweetness to meat and fish. In this case, grind the zest to the size of a grain of rice. A whole strip can be poured with slightly warm olive oil and put in a dark place. After a week, you'll have a citrus-flavored salad dressing.

Powdered zest can be mixed with herbs and condiments such as rosemary or thyme. This collection will add an unusual flavor to your dishes. Small pieces of rind can simply be thrown into tea - black or green.

In winter, in the midst of the citrus harvest, prepare yourself a fragrant mulled wine. To do this, combine pieces of orange peel, a cinnamon stick, a few cloves and sugar. Pour hot wine over these Christmas spices and simmer a little.

Many of us love these fragrant sunny fruits. We know that oranges are high in vitamin C and are therefore beneficial in preventing colds and flu. But we know less about the zest of this fruit. It turns out to be very useful too.

Useful properties of orange peel

The zest is the top layer of citrus fruits. That is, orange, tangerine, lemon, lime and others. In addition to vitamin C, the zest also contains A, P, B1 and B2, as well as the minerals phosphorus and calcium. This product is a source of flavonoids, solid fibers, photochemicals. This composition determines the beneficial properties of this product.

Top layer of peel:

Due to the presence of phytoncides, orange peel has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. That is, it kills germs and relieves inflammation, relieves fever. Magnesium and calcium contained in this product, combined with B vitamins, strengthen the nervous system and improve blood composition. Since it is high in fiber and pectin, it is very beneficial for overweight people. Flavonoids have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and the heart, improve the work of the heart muscle.

The essential oil, which is also obtained from the peels, has not only disinfecting but also soothing properties. It should be used for neuroses, nervous tension and depression. And in cosmetology, oil is used for skin care. It nourishes and moisturizes, prevents the formation of wrinkles.

How to make orange peel

Orange peels can be easily made into zest - a very healthy product. First of all, you need to use fresh fruit, since the skin of a lying product will dry out quickly and all essential oils will evaporate.

A very important question is how to remove the zest from an orange. We must approach this point very carefully.

If you remove it with the white film, it will taste bitter and unpleasant. For this, it is first recommended to scald the fruit with boiling water, then the upper layer will lag behind the lower one and it will be easy to remove it.

You can remove the top layer with a grater immediately after scalding. And after this procedure, dry it.

Long-term storage rules

The best storage containers are glass jars, and the lids should close very well. Foil-sealed bags are also suitable. In such packages, essential oils are stored for a long time and do not fade. Therefore, a fragrant product will retain its scent for a long time.

You can also store it in a tin can. The most important thing is that it is well sealed. Otherwise, moisture will get into the container and the zest will deteriorate.

Where can you apply?

It can be used to make delicious jams, aromatic pies, compotes, various teas and sauces, as well as various desserts and salads.

Lemon and orange peel jam

  • oranges - 620 g;
  • lemons - 140 g;
  • sugar - 400 g;
  • water - 280 ml;
  • ginger root - 50 g.

You can make jam and from some oranges and the top layer of their peel, you can add nuts, cinnamon, pears, apples. In any case, the jam will be delicious and very aromatic.

Jam from oranges and zest

  • sugar - 350 g;
  • oranges - 3 pieces;
  • orange liqueur - 50 ml;
  • lime juice - 50 g.

That is, to make jam, you just need to cook the mixture a little longer.

Do not throw away the fragrant peels, do not deprive your body of the benefits that the substances contained in them can bring!

Add them to baked goods, desserts and drinks for a delicious flavor.

The aromatic and sunny orange peel is a magical natural spice that literally transforms many home cooking dishes. Baking, desserts, ice cream, drinks - orange peel adds a characteristic aroma and appetizing color to them.

Undoubtedly, you can say, they say, why harvest orange peel for future use, if almost always fresh citrus fruits are on sale. Of course you are right, my dears. But it is in this form that this fragrant spice will always be at your fingertips. It is stored for a long time and does not take up much space.

If you are still interested, I will tell you how to make orange peel in reserve. This is not even a recipe, but a little tip that will come in handy. In any case, I hope so. By the way, for this spice we only need the topmost layer of oranges. But from the pulp, I advise you to definitely try to make a fragrant and very tasty orange jam. Just lick your fingers!

Ingredients:

Cooking the dish step by step:

To make a reserve of orange peel, we need fresh oranges.

Our fruits are always imported, so they are processed with all kinds of chemistry. We will try to get rid of it. To do this, wash the fruit very carefully under hot water with the hard side of a sponge.

Then we boil water, turn off the heat and put pure oranges in boiling water for a couple of minutes.

We dry the fruit with a napkin and remove the topmost layer to the white layer - this is the zest. The most convenient way is a vegetable peeler.

Now choose for yourself how you dry the zest. At first I wanted a special dryer, but then changed my mind and used the oven. We spread the zest on the parchment in one layer. Dry in a warm oven at 50 degrees for about 4 hours. You can dry orange peel at room temperature, but it will take several days.

The zest is done when the pieces are brittle and completely dry.

Now grind the finished zest. To do this, we will use a coffee grinder. Choose the degree of grind yourself.

From just 4 oranges, I got exactly 20 grams of dry crushed zest. This is about 2.5-3 tablespoons. We store it in an airtight container in a dry place.

Delicious homemade orange flavored food for you!

Not everyone knows how to make orange peel. Meanwhile, this is a necessary product, and it is desirable to have some of it in the kitchen bins. If the need arises to use it, the zest will be within reach.

What it is?

Surely everyone knows what a bright sunny orange color, cold yellow lemon and languid green lime. The very top layer with a porous surface is called citrus zest. Let's clarify that a thin colored layer is a spice. Many people, not knowing how to make orange peel, may try to cook it just from the skin of the fruit. But this decision will be wrong. The zest of such a plan is of little use for consumption.

Where is this seasoning used

Before making an orange zest, let's find out the moments when it can be very useful. So where do you need this citrus product:

  • Orange peel can also be useful for dough. How to make a fragrant additive - we will definitely find out in today's article. The zest shows up well in buns, pastries. It is added during the preparation of cookies and muffins. This spice is used very often for cakes. Not only the cakes can contain fragrant orange peel, but the cream for this dessert is also flavored with it.
  • Meat and fish dishes can also be prepared using a flavoring additive.
  • Wine and vodka products. Orange peel flavors are used in liqueurs and beyond. How to make orange peel, it will not be superfluous to know for lovers of homemade homemade tincture.
  • Delightful tea or coffee turns out if you add a certain amount of aromatic rind, correctly prepared, to the drink.
  • The product is used not only in the culinary field. Home cosmetology - ample opportunities for preparing orange peel for future use. Also for momentary use for the purpose of aromatizing soap, scrub or caring emulsion containing a citrus component.

And now, instructions for making orange peel and a photo.

Express supplement

This method is especially good when all of a sudden the recipe for creating a dish reads: "add lemon or orange zest." We just take a fresh fruit and, after washing it, try to take the thinnest top orange layer from it. It is logical to do this with the help of a special object that helps to qualitatively peel off the top layer from the orange. But what if suddenly you didn't have such a knife, and the spice is needed this very minute? How to quickly make orange peel in this case? Use a regular grater. Need medium or small. Rub the washed fruit with an orange layer on a grater - and a fragrant spice is ready. You can add it to your food.

Pure oranges are the key to a healthy product

It's easy to say that citrus fruits need to be rinsed before peeling off the thin top layer of the peel. But today, the surface of fruits is often treated with substances that are not very necessary for the body. Therefore, before taking the zest as a food additive or using it in the preparation of cosmetic care products, it must be completely freed from the applied substances.

First, rinse the fruit thoroughly in very warm water. We use at this moment a hard washcloth. Rub the surface of the washed fruit persistently, but without excessive fanaticism. This way, dirt and possible technical contamination will come off the orange well.

The second important point in washing an orange is to pour boiling water over it. One to two seconds is enough for the top layer of the orange aromatic skin to become more pliable to remove.

Finish sanitizing by blotting the orange with a thick paper towel or clean kitchen towel.

Blank for future use

A fresh natural flavor is, of course, wonderful. However, it is not always possible to use just such a seasoning. Here, a prepared for future use product rushes to the rescue. There are several ways to prepare orange peel for home use.

Powder

This zest is good if you need natural coloring. Often used in home soap making. In cooking, especially in the art of confectionery, the powder has also shown itself well. You can add it while making the cake cream. For dough, this method is simply gorgeous: the resulting orange pollen will harmoniously go into the overall composition of buns or muffins.

Zest recipe

You can hardly find the exact ratio of components in such instructions. Oranges are taken in any quantity. One or ten doesn't matter.

We wash the fruits according to the recipe described above in this article. In this case, you can remove the zest in any way. A grater, a special tool or an ordinary sharp knife - these devices will cope with the task.

Peel off the peel very delicately. We grab the colored layer, the white layer of the skin remains on the fruit. If your orange peel has slightly covered the white subcutaneous layer, don't panic. A small amount of white skin will not bring any noticeable discomfort when using orange pollen.

So, before us appeared stripes of orange color with a great fresh scent. We dry these strips in any convenient way. For this purpose, a special dryer for fruits and vegetables is suitable, or you can use an oven. The temperature is 50 degrees. Drying time 4 hours. We have a semi-finished product ready.

You can not use the accelerated method at all, but start drying at room temperature. In this case, 4-5 days - and the semi-finished product is ready.

The final stage will be grinding the dried peel. The coffee grinder can be operated here. The powder is ready. We store it in a tightly screwed dark container in a dry place. Dishes with zest should be kept in the dark.

Zest in the form of shavings

This option is good for making drinks. You can add orange peel flakes while brewing your tea. Can be used as a flavoring for homemade tinctures.

My oranges. We clean off the zest. Again, a grater or knife - at your discretion. Now grind to the required fraction. Dry as described above. We store the dry ready-made zest in a glass container with a tightly closed lid. As soon as we need it, we easily use the required amount.

Storage period

It is better to use the resulting natural flavoring and aroma additive within two to four months. This is the optimal shelf life. Too old zest loses color, aroma, taste and benefits, no matter how hard you try to prevent it. But, frankly, before that time, there is a high probability that you will have to stock up again for future use with homemade orange peel.