There are numerous kinds of citrus fruits like oranges that you can find in abundance during the winter months. But have you tried drying the tasty peels of the orange fruit?
There is no need to search for the dried orange peels anymore in the market as you can dehydrate and prepare its powder easily with the help of the food dehydrator at your home. You can use it so many different recipes and dishes like homemade vermouth or cocktail bitters. Moreover, you can add it in the mixture of the contemplating spices for making mulled wine or hot mulled cider. As soon as you dehydrate the orange peels, crumble it with your hand or in the mixer grinder for future use.
You must be wondering how is it possible to dry orange peels in the dehydrator? Isn’t it?
In the below article, we will solve all your queries as you get to know the simple and easy steps of dehydrating the orange peels in a dehydrator. Moreover, we will also share with you some useful info and tips about the dried orange peels that will help you in getting effective results of the dried orange peel.
List of ingredients required for drying orange peels in a dehydrator
Before beginning the drying process of the orange peels in the food dehydrator, there are few things that you need to gather:
- Food dehydrator
- Oranges for peels
- Water
- Sharp knife
- Wax paper or parchment paper
- Airtight jar
Step by step instructions for drying orange peels in the dehydrator
The following are step by step instructions that you need to follow for drying the orange peels in the food dehydrator:
Step 1: Selection of the fruit
You have to select the bright color oranges for the peels. In comparison to the Valencia orange try to pick the navel orange that comes with the thick skin. The skin or the peel of the Navel orange gets dried much better.
Step 2: Wash the oranges
Now, it’s time to wash and rinse the oranges thoroughly with the water that you have picked. There should be no dust on the skin of the fruit as it is the main ingredient for the drying method.
Step 3: Cut the peel of the oranges
Now, take off the peel of the oranges in around 1/16 inches to 1/8 inches size with the help of the sharp knife. If there is any orange with the bitter white pith then, discard it off immediately as that can get bitterer while drying. Moreover, this can also spoil the overall flavor of the orange peel.
Step 4: Place the peels on the drying trays
You have to place the peels of the oranges over the drying trays of the dehydrator in a single layer. You should keep in mind that no peel should overlap the other one or otherwise this can delay the drying process. Moreover, you might also use the wax paper or the parchment paper over the trays so that the peels do not drop from the tray’s openings.
Step 5: Turn ON the dehydrator machine
It’s time to turn ON the dehydrator machine. The total time taken for drying the orange peels should be around 8 to 12 hours. But the drying time might vary owing to the type of dehydrator you are using and the peel’s moisture content.
Step 6: Check the drying status of the orange peel
In order to check the dryness status of the orange peel, you have to cut the peel for finding any easily visible moisture. Furthermore, you can squeeze the moisture content from the peel for checking the dryness. Keep in mind that while bending the peel in half, it must not be sticky.
Step 7: Storing the dried orange peels
If the peels are dried completely, cool down them for around 30 minutes to 60 minutes period before storing. Now, store the dried orange peels in the airtight glass jar or container for extended time future use.
What are the Best Oranges for making Dried Orange Peel?
It is a common question that comes in mind of the people before making the dried orange peel. You might use any oranges for making the dried orange peel but finding the Navel oranges is quite easy as it comes in lots of varieties in the market.
Also, you may use the blend of tangerine and orange for getting more vibrant flavourful results. Some people also love to use the tangelos for getting the preferred outcome. The Caribbean grown bitter oranges provides bitterer flavor and you may also add the gentian root for adding some pungent sharpness in your food.
Five ways to use the dried orange peel
Below are the five ways through which you can use the dehydrated orange peel:
1. Marinades
You can prepare a tasty marinade for the fish or the chicken with the dried powder orange peel, olive oil, basil, dill or thyme. You may add some pepper, salt, and garlic for getting more flavor in the recipe. Don’t forget to grind the dehydrated orange peel for getting the fine powder for the marinade.
2. Infusions
You can add the dried orange strips along with the olive oil in the airtight container and keep it aside for one week. Soon you will get orange olive oil that you can use for cooking and dressings. It will become flavourful if you infuse it for a longer time. Moreover, you can also prepare the infused oil for the body too by adding cloves, cinnamon sticks, and dried hibiscus. It smells great while using. You will be surprised to know that the peel of the oranges has more vitamin C in comparison to its fruit inside.
3. Flavoured Salt
You may mix the powdered orange peel with the dried herbs like rosemary or thyme along with the salt to get the flavored ones. It increases the flavor of your recipes or foods.
4. Tea
People who like to have flavored tea can add the dried orange peel’s piece in the black tea or the green tea for getting a twist of flavor. You may also prepare a bath tea with it by adding the dried orange peel to the warm water. Buy a tiny muslin bag of cotton and fill it with the Epsom salts, cinnamon stick and the dried orange peel. You will surely feel in heaven while using it in your bath.
5. Potpourri
The dried orange peels also work as a natural décor for your home. You only need to mix it with the autumn spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks along with some drops of the essential oil for increasing the fragrance in the room.
Useful tips while drying orange peels in the dehydrator
The following are the valuable tips that you can follow while drying the orange peels in the dehydrator:
- The wholly dried orange peel will be very dry and must not feel sticky while touching. You might find it malleable, but it will get torn in half without crumbling.
- The incompletely or short term dried orange peel will feel little sticky and moist. You might find it chewy like the raisin. So, in such case, you should keep it inside the dehydrator machine for some more time if you don’t like its texture.
- After drying the orange peel entirely in the dehydrator, the food will last for years. However, if it is dried partially, then, you have to eat it within a few weeks.
Final Thought
People have a misconception in their mind that the citrus fruits and their peels are hard to preserve for a long time after drying, but that is not true at all. You can quickly dehydrate the orange peels in the dehydrator and keep it for a long time for the future use in the different recipes. Moreover, the flavor of the market bought dried orange peels does not offer natural flavor to the recipe as they also comprise of additives along with the sugar.
In the above article, we have provided you the step by step guidelines for drying the orange peels in the dehydrator. You can easily use the nutritious skin of the orange peel after drying them thoroughly in the machine. It offers a more bitter flavor than the oranges to the food. You can use it for making lemonade, tea or orangeade. The best part about the dried orange peels is that you can use them in the recipes even when they are not in season. Isn’t it amazing?
We hope that all your doubts about drying the orange peels in the dehydrator have vanished with this article. If you still have any more doubt then, please let us know in the below comment box. We will try to reply you as soon as we can.
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Enjoy dehydrating!
References
https://www.mygourmetconnection.com/make-your-own-dried-orange-peel/
https://www.littlehouseliving.com/make-dried-orange-peel-tea-recipe.html