Make Dried Orange Peel Yourself – That’s How it Works

Dried orange peel – this is how the project succeeds very easily

You’ve probably wondered at some point whether you can’t simply dry orange peel yourself so that you can use it for longer. If you pay attention to a few things, it will be very easy:

• You can dry the orange peels in different ways. The first works with the help of the oven: To do this, line a standard baking tray with baking paper and place the orange peels evenly distributed on it. Put this in the oven at 50 degrees for about two to three hours.
• Ideally, leave the oven door ajar so that the moisture from the oranges can escape. You can then take the orange peels out of the oven and let them cool down.
• Alternatively, you can of course let the orange peels air dry. For this, you need a wooden board on which you spread the orange peels. This should be large enough to avoid pieces lying on top of each other. You should turn the bowls once or twice a day. After a few days, everything should be completely dry.
• Another popular way to dry citrus fruits is with a food dehydrator. Put the peels in at 50 degrees for two to three hours and check the degree of drying. If you can easily crumble the orange peels with your hands, they’re done.
• After you have dried your orange peels, no matter what method you use, they can be stored in a tightly sealed jar for about two months.
• You can also dry the peels of lemons or tangerines using the same methods. However, you should dry slices of these citrus fruits on a grid, as the escaping juice must not accumulate in order to prevent mold. However, drying in the air then takes about 14 days.

What can you use dried orange peel for?

It is also interesting to know what you can use the dried peel of oranges and other citrus fruits for. The areas of application are more diverse than you might think:

• As long as you have used washed organic oranges, you can safely use the dried orange peels for cooking and baking. Oranges from conventional agriculture, on the other hand, are often contaminated with pesticides.
• If you grind the dried peel finely, you can use it wonderfully as a flavoring in pastries and cakes. They also give stews, soups, and desserts an intensive aroma.
• You can also use the orange peel to make soothing orange tea. Pour boiling water over the bowls and let the tea steep for about eight minutes. You can then sweeten it with honey or agave syrup as needed.
• You can also fight clothes moths with the dried orange peel. All you have to do is put a few bowls in an air-permeable bag and hang them in your closet. You should replace the orange peels about every five weeks, as the essential oils will have evaporated after this time.