How to dry an orange peel

Orange

Orange is classified as one of the types of citrus fruits low in calories very useful, which forms part of the healthy diet for many people who are aware of its great value and benefits, it is famous for its high content of vitamin C, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, and on the other hand orange is very popular due to its taste The delicious natural sweet and sour, in addition to the availability of many different types of it, and we do not forget the diversity of its uses as a food item, or as an additive used in making various sweets, and others, and orange peels have great importance and great benefits and a variety of uses also when dried and stored or consumed fresh or dried Which will be explained in the next paragraphs. ^[1]

Methods for drying orange peel

There are many simple home methods that can be used to dry orange peels and use them later, the most prominent of which are the following:

Natural drying in the sun

Oranges, lemons , tangerines, blood oranges , grapefruit and various other forms of citrus fruits can be dried in this way, by following the following steps: ^[2]

• Pick orange seeds, tangerines, blood oranges, myrrh, or others as desired, and it is preferable for fruits to be fresh, organic and free from chemicals, treatment, or pesticides if you want to grind them and eat them later after drying.
• The fruits are washed well to get rid of the dust and dirt sticking to them, and then dried from water.
• Only the colored part of the skin is peeled off, and the bitter white pulp is left on the fruit using a sharp vegetable peeling knife, noting that the presence of the pulp gives the peel a bitter flavor and prolongs its drying time, and therefore it must be removed and scraped with a knife quietly.
• The strips of peels are arranged on a suitable plate with the inside facing upside down, and placed in a warm, well-sunny place at room temperature.
• The peels are left for 3-4 days, until they wilt and disappear and become dry and brittle.
• The dried peels are stored in a clean, airtight container and placed in a cool, dark place where they can have a shelf life of about a month.

Drying orange peels in a home oven

A home oven is used to dry the crusts in easy and simple steps and faster than the natural drying method, by following the following method: ^[3]

• The oranges are washed well, making sure that they are completely clean from dirt or other traces of pesticides.
• Peel the outer layer only to remove the crusts without peeling the inner white layer with it using a hand or a small sharp knife, and the bitter pulp must be removed from it during the process by scraping it with a spoon or a knife.
• Cut orange peels into equal slices using a knife; To let them dry together at the same rate, as the size of the slices depends on the purpose for which they are used, as a scent for example or as a powder to be cooked for cooking or preparing juice.
• Arrange the peels on the oven tray in a single layer, in rows of slices spaced from each other, and underneath the parchment paper. To prevent sticking.
• The oven is set at a temperature of 93 ° C, and a tray of orange peels is placed in it to dry, with the need to inspect and check it from time to time until it is completely dry and to ensure that it does not burn.
• Grind the dried orange peels to taste.
• The dry peels are stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator, where they can last for 3 months or more.

Uses of dried orange peels

Orange peel is considered one of the natural sources with a rich content of vitamin C, which makes it a useful and popular ingredient in various health and aesthetic fields and for skin care, in addition to its use for decorative purposes and for other household uses that will be clarified in the following points: ^[4]

• A refreshing air freshener, as many people use orange peels to refresh the air of the house and make it fragrant and refreshing, by boiling a handful of pre-dried orange peels and mixing them with other ingredients, such as: cinnamon and cardamom.
• Useful ingredient to promote healthy and glowing skin; As the orange peel is used for several aesthetic purposes, including smoothing the skin, treating blackheads, dead cells, and acne, and on the other hand it brightens the skin and makes it bright, and enhances its freshness, as it is mixed with milk and milk to make a mask that removes the tan, and makes the skin glowing and shiny.
• Protecting teeth from decay due to the anti-bacterial properties of the peels, and it also helps to whiten them and give the mouth a refreshing taste and a pleasant smell.
• Enjoy its delicious taste by making beneficial orange peel tea by boiling, filtering and drinking the peels.
• Preparing home desserts of various kinds, as the taste of boiled crusts is delicious and refreshing and is part of many sweets.
• Promote the health of the digestive system and treat its various disorders due to the healthy fibers present in these peels, which have been used since ancient times as a popular treatment for diseases of the digestive system.
• Helping to lose weight; As orange peels are rich in vitamin C, which helps burn fat, and the citrus orange fruits are low in calories and full of dietary fibers that control appetite and suppress the feeling of hunger.

The benefits of citrusy orange fruits

There are many health benefits of orange fruits, which can be used to enhance the health of the body, most notably the following: ^[5]

• Oranges contain an abundant amount of water that can satisfy part of the body's need for it when consumed as a drink, in conjunction with its other benefits.
• One orange contains 80% of the person’s daily intake of vitamin C, which in turn boosts the body’s immunity, collagen production, reduces inflammation, burns body fat, and enhances iron absorption in it.
• Oranges are a source of many minerals and important elements for the body, most notably calcium, vitamins A and B, magnesium, folic acid and potassium, which in turn enhance heart function, maintain muscle health, reduce blood pressure, fluid retention in the body, constipation problems, and others.
• The antioxidants present in orange peels prevent the growth and reproduction of cancer cells that kill and destroy healthy body cells.

References

1. ↑ "Oranges: Health Benefits, Nutritional Information" , www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 8-11-2020. Edited.
2. ↑ Kyle Phillips (5-9-2020), “How to Make Dried Orange or Lemon Peel at Home” , www.thespruceeats.com , Retrieved 8-11-2020. Edited.
3. ↑ "How to Dry Orange Peels" , www.wikihow.com , 29-5-2020, Retrieved 11-8-2020. Edited.
4. ↑ "14 Amazing Benefits Of Orange Peels (Santre Ke Chilke) For Beauty And Health" , www.stylecraze.com , Retrieved 11-8-2020. Edited.
5. ↑ Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD (11-6-2020), "7 Health Benefits of Oranges, According to a Nutritionist" , www.health.com , Retrieved 8-8-2020. Edited.