Don’t throw them away! Take advantage of these fruit peels in your infusions

With orange, grapefruit, lemon or tangerine peel, and even with apple or pomegranate peel, you can prepare delicious infusions full of properties.

• 6 fruit peels and their properties

• 1. Orange peel
• 2. Lemon peel
• 3. Tangerine peel
• 4. Grapefruit shell
• 5. Apple peel
• 6. Pomegranate shell
• Recipes for infusions with fruit peel
• 1. Relaxing infusion with tangerine and apple skin
• 2. Digestive infusion of orange peel
• 3. Detox infusion with grapefruit (or lemon) peel
• 4. Infusion for the throat with pomegranate peel

6 FRUIT PEELS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

Before talking about the nutrients present in the skin of some fruits ideal for infusions, it is important to clarify that, in this type of preparations, it is key to use untreated and organically grown fruits. In this way, we ensure infusions free of toxic substances for the body.

In addition, if the fruits are locally sourced, better since delivery times in stores after harvest are reduced, the fruit is fresher and tastier and the peel maintains better consistency and properties.

1. ORANGE PEEL

Orange peel contains essential oils and antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids. It is also rich in mineral salts and fiber. Thanks to its active ingredients, it is a great ally for our health and well-being. In fact, the peel of this citrus fruit can help:

• Strengthen defenses.
• Reduce respiratory inflammations and improve the appearance of the skin due to its high content of antioxidants.
• Maintain good oral hygiene and intestinal health with its bactericidal and antimicrobial effect.
• Improve digestion and regulate intestinal transit with its contribution of fiber.
• Maintain the ideal weight or lose weight because it provides very few calories and has a satiating and purifying effect.

If you don’t like the taste or consistency of pure orange peel, you can grate it and use it in your recipes or brew orange peel tea. You can even dry the peel to store it and take advantage of it to flavor infused waters in summer.

2. LEMON PEEL

Like orange and other citrus fruits, lemon provides us with abundant vitamin C and also contains antioxidants such as coumarins and flavonoids, essential oils, bitter principles and pectin.

It has an anti-free radical and protective action of blood vessels, is carminative, antiseptic, satiating, benefits the intestinal mucosa and promotes regular transit.

Due to its properties, it is a functional food that contributes to the prevention of diseases related to poor diet, promotes good digestion, attenuates capillary fragility and helps fight flu and colds.

It can be used in cooking in an innumerable variety of recipes. With lemon peel you can also make jellies, infusions, liqueurs, etc.

3. TANGERINE PEEL

This is another very aromatic citrus fruit rich in healthy nutrients whose skin can be used to prepare salty and sweet dishes or in the preparation of infusions.

The tangerine peel stands out for its high contribution of vitamins C and A and its benefits are similar to those of the orange. In addition, the essential oils present in tangerine skin are responsible for its sweet aroma and digestive, carminative, antiseptic, relaxing and slightly sedative properties.

The use of tangerine peel is ideal to promote sleep, improve digestion and calm the nerves.

4. GRAPEFRUIT SHELL

Grapefruit is a less common citrus fruit than oranges or lemon, but just as healthy and with a characteristic flavor. It can be perfect to give a Mediterranean touch to your infusions if you are looking for a citrus and somewhat bitter aroma.

Grapefruit peel provides us mainly with fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, essential oils and bitter principles.

It is a good natural remedy for:

• Attenuate inflammations of the upper respiratory tract.
• Contribute to the elimination of toxins.
• Improve digestion.
• Strengthen the immune system.

5. APPLE PEEL

Apple peel stands out for its high content of antioxidants, especially quercetin with anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and protective action on cardiovascular health. In addition, it is rich in vegetable fiber and triterpene compounds that favor muscle strengthening.

In short, it provides us with very good nutrients for intestinal health, but there are more benefits of apple peel.

It is also good for the protection of the muscular, respiratory and circulatory system.

If you still prefer to peel the apples and eat them without skin, you can take advantage of the remains to make desserts, smoothies, salads and, of course, in your infusions.

6. POMEGRANATE SHELL

Let’s face it, eating pomegranate with skin is not a pleasant thing. Not only because this fruit has a rough and difficult to chew peel, but also has a bitter and astringent taste. These details of the taste of its peel are indicators of the high tannin content in the skin of this fruit. In the bark of the pomegranate is found above all punicalagin, a type of tannin with astringent and antibacterial action.

The use of pomegranate peel infusion can relieve throat inflammations and contributes to the strengthening of immune defenses. The decoction of pomegranate peel is used as a natural remedy for the relief of punctual diarrhea.

RECIPES FOR INFUSIONS WITH FRUIT PEEL

Now that you know the properties of some fruit peels you will think twice before throwing them away. Even during the pomegranate or tangerine season you can dehydrate the skins of these fruits, cut them into pieces and save them to take advantage of them in your recipes and infusions throughout the year.

Creating your small supply with a kitchen dehydrator will be a very simple task. And, if you don’t have one at home, too: just follow Claudina Navarro Walter’s advice on how to dehydrate food without a dehydrator!

Here are some recipes to include fruit peels in infusions.

1. RELAXING INFUSION WITH TANGERINE AND APPLE SKIN

This relaxing infusion is ideal to help you fall asleep. Below are the ingredients, which you should mix in the indicated proportion, and how to prepare it.

Ingredients:

• Valerian root: 40%.
• Chamomile: 40%.
• Dehydrated mandarin peel: 20%.

Preparation:

1. Place a tablespoon of the mixture in a clean pot.
2. Add 250 ml of boiling water and cover.
3. Let stand 15 minutes and filter.
4. Savor in small sips two hours before bedtime.

It is ideal for people who feel stressed and worried and have difficulty falling asleep.

2. DIGESTIVE INFUSION OF ORANGE PEEL

This infusion is ideal for promoting digestion. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportion and follow the instructions for their preparation.

Ingredients:

• Angelica root: 40%.
• Fennel fruits: 20%.
• Cumin fruits: 20%.
• Dehydrated orange peel: 20%.

Preparation:

1. Place 250 ml of water in a pot.
2. Add a tablespoon of the mixture and let it boil for two minutes.
3. Cover and let infuse for 15 minutes before filtering.

Ideal to take after a very copious meal or particularly rich in fats to promote digestion and prevent heaviness, bloating and flatulence.

3. DETOX INFUSION WITH GRAPEFRUIT (OR LEMON) PEEL

With grapefruit skin, green tea and ginger you can prepare a pleasant cleansing infusion.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon green tea.
• 2 pieces of fresh grapefruit skin (as an alternative you can use lemon peel).
• 2 thin slices of fresh ginger.

Preparation:

1. Pour 250 ml of water into a clean pot.
2. Add the ginger and grapefruit skin and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat, add the green tea and cover.
4. Let stand for 4-5 minutes and filter.

It can be taken 1-2 times a day, half an hour before breakfast or lunch.

Ideal to promote the detox functions of the body and purify the body after feasting at parties and meetings or during a diet for weight loss.

4. INFUSION FOR THE THROAT WITH POMEGRANATE PEEL

This infusion of pomegranate skin with chamomile, thyme and mallow is ideal for throat care. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportion.

Ingredients:

• Shredded pomegranate peel: 30%.
• Chamomile: 30%.
• Thyme: 20%.
• Mallow: 20%.

Preparation:

1. Add a tablespoon of the mixture to 250 ml of cold water in a pot and when it starts to boil turn off and cover with a lid.
2. Let stand 15 minutes and filter.

You can take up to 3 times a day for two or three days.

Ideal to attenuate the inflammation of the throat and reduce the sore throat that appears as a symptom of colds and flu.