Orange Peel: Uses and How to Store It

One of winter's favorite fruits, the orange is versatile: both the fruit and its peel can be used. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, and the peel's pleasant aroma has traditionally made it useful as a household deodorizer. It adds a citrus fragrance to recipes ranging from tea to Turkish coffee. Below are ways to store orange peel and use it in the kitchen.

Using Orange Peel in the Kitchen
Orange zest can be combined with honey or sugar and used in desserts. It adds a citrus aroma to baked goods and drinks. Orange peel can be used to flavor beverages and desserts.

How to Dry and Store Orange Peel
Fresh orange peels can be kept in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for a few days; drying them is recommended for longer storage. Cut the peels into thin strips and spread them on a flat tray to dry at room temperature for a few days, or dry them in an oven at very low heat. Dried orange peels can be stored in an airtight jar for months. Keeping the jar in a dark cupboard helps preserve the aroma longer.

Using Orange Peel in Tea and Drinks
Dried orange peel can be steeped with green or black tea; its fruity aroma is especially popular in winter. A handful of orange peel can also be boiled with a little lemon juice and a few cinnamon sticks, then cooled and used as a natural room fragrance. When making orange-peel tea, remember that the white pith is bitter; use only the colored outer peel when possible to keep the tea from turning bitter.

How to Make Turkish Coffee in an Orange Peel
Cut an orange in half and carefully scoop out the inside. One half of the peel can be used like a cezve. Add one 60 ml measure of water, one 5 ml measure of Turkish coffee, and sugar if desired, then bring to a boil over low heat. Remove it from the heat when the coffee begins to foam. The coffee takes on a subtle aroma from the orange peel's volatile oils. It tastes fruitier than classic Turkish coffee and can also make a distinctive presentation.

Other Uses
Dried orange peels can be placed on a heater or radiator to spread a natural fragrance through the home. They can also be candied as a snack to serve with coffee or used for decoration. Used in closets where clothes are stored, they can provide fragrance and help repel moths in place of mothballs. Finely grated orange peel adds a fresh citrus aroma to cake and cookie batter; fresh peel can be used in the same way without drying it first. A few pieces of dried peel placed at the bottom of salad bowls or serving trays add a pleasant fragrance and a decorative touch to the table.