Zesty Orange Peel Tea - Fresh or Dried Peel

Name: Zesty Orange Peel Tea - Fresh or Dried Peel
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 large orange (washed); 2 cups water; Spices: 1 cinnamon stick, 5-6 cloves, 2-3 cardamom pods (or others to taste)

JUMP TO RECIPE

This orange peel tea is an addictingly fresh, tasty & fragrant drink. Using dry or fresh orange peels, we transform a humble ingredient into a ray of sunshine in a cup!

A glass mug of orange tea with cinnamon sticks and cardamom

Jump to:

💌 Why I Love This Recipe
🍊 Ingredients
🔪 Equipment
👣 Steps
💡 Recipe Success Tips
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
🌿 Flavor Variations
🧊 Serving Suggestions
🌟 Nutrition
👋 Conclusion
🍴Recipe

Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with my bakery-worthy orange cardamom buns, this simple recipe is an excellent addition to your tea rotation.

💌 Why I Love This Recipe

Low waste. An easy way to use up any leftover orange peels you might have from other recipes.
Accessible. Uses simple ingredients that are probably already lurking in your kitchen.
Affordable. With minimal ingredients, equipment, and prep time, it's both simple AND budget-friendly.
Adjustable. We are using up a whole orange, plus, you can adjust the spices to whatever is already in your cupboard.

🍊 Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need for a homemade orange peel tea.

An orange with spices on a cutting board

Orange (peel and juice): Both the orange peel & the freshly squeezed juice will be used. You can use any orange variety. I highly recommend Valencia or navel oranges which are easy to juice.

Spices. I used cinnamon sticks to add warmth, cardamom pods to add a sweet spicy flavor, and cloves to provide a pleasant aroma. I encourage you to use whatever is already in your kitchen cupboard - spices like star anise, allspice, ground turmeric, ground ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.

You will also need 2 cups of water.

🔪 Equipment

Citrus Squeezer / Juicier: For squeezing the orange juice (optional but makes your job easier)
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For preparing the orange peels.
Saucepan: For steeping the ingredients.
Sieve or Tea Strainer: For filtering out the ingredients after steeping.
Mug: For serving the final drink.

👣 Steps

Tip: This is just a super quick overview. See the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for detailed instructions and exact ingredient details.

Before starting, thoroughly wash and scrub the orange.

A glass jar with orange juice next to a cut orange

Juice the Orange. Cut the orange in half. Squeeze out all the juice using your hands or a citrus squeezer.

A knife and orange peels on a cutting board

Prepare the Orange Peels. Cut each half of the juiced orange into 2-3 pieces. Remove as much of the white pith* as possible. Then cut each piece into many small strips.

A pot of water with orange slices and cinnamon

Add Ingredients. Add water, orange peels, and spices to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer.

A pot with orange slices and a cinnamon stick

Steep the Tea. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Then set aside and let cool.

A person pouring orange juice into a pot

Add Orange Juice. Add orange juice and stir to combine.

A close-up of orange peel tea being poured into a cup

Strain and Serve. Pour the tea through a strainer into a mug. Enjoy warm or cold with ice cubes.

If desired, decorate with orange slices, a sprinkle of orange zest, and some spices on top (cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, etc).

*Pith is the part between the orange peel and the fruit.

💡 Recipe Success Tips

Go for Smooth. Ensure the tea is completely smooth by pouring it through a very fine-mesh sieve before serving - don't skip this step!
Adjust Sweetness. This recipe contains no added sugar because of the natural sweetness of oranges. Feel free to add a drizzle of your favorite sweetener like maple or agave syrup if you'd like.
Play Around with Spices. Adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste buds. Or, swap them out for other similar spices of your choice (see Ingredients for best replacements).

Fun twist - swap out the oranges. A great way to personalize this recipe is to swap out standard oranges for other citrus fruits like blood oranges, mandarines, or even grapefruit.

A glass mug with orange peel tea and orange slices

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions

What does orange peel tea taste like?

It has a distinct orange flavor with the added warmth of gentle spices like cinnamon and cloves.

It has a zingy note from the orange peel and a very slight bitter taste mellowed out by the orange juice. Its texture is completely smooth, while its sweetness can be adjusted to your taste.

Can I use dried orange peels instead of fresh ones?

Yes. Remember that dried peels have a more concentrated flavor so use them sparingly.

Should I be worried about the pesticide residue in the orange peel?

No. According to Michigan State University, 'pesticide residues will be at or below safe consumption levels, even for vulnerable populations' (Source).

It's still a good idea to give the orange a good wash just to remove any potential dirt.

How can I store the leftovers?

Store any leftover orange peel tea in an air-tight container in the fridge and use within 24 hours.

A glass mug of orange tea with a cinnamon stick — *Here I served my orange peel tea with half a cup of black tea.*

🌿 Flavor Variations

Personalize this orange peel tea by introducing different additional flavors such as:

FRUIT JUICES

Cranberry juice: Mix it with some cranberry juice which naturally pairs well with oranges and creates a delightful mini mocktail.
Pineapple juice: Serve it with a splash of pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
Apple juice: A more classic, yet delightful combination.

SPICES

Ginger: When steeping the peel & spices, add some fresh ginger for a slightly spicy & peppery finish.
Nutmeg or Star Anise: Another two must-try flavor additions for a warm and gentle variation.
Turmeric: Gives it an anti-inflammatory boost and builds on that powerful orange tone.

HERBS

Basil: Serve it with a light sprinkle of freshly chopped basil. Try it, it's a game-changing flavor combination!
Cilantro: As above, but swap out basil for cilantro. It's not to everyone's taste but cilantro lovers will ADORE it.
Mint: Great for those days when you need an extra bit of flavor kick to truly wake up.
Rosemary: Adds an earthy, spicy. complex flavor perfect for the festive season.

TEA

Black tea: For a caffeine boost, add some freshly brewed black tea.
Jasmine or green tea: Similar as above, but gentler in flavor. Add just before serving.
Herbal tea blends: You can also add herbal options like chamomile, peppermint, or hibiscus tea.

🧊 Serving Suggestions

Hot: Serve the hot cup of tea in a mug or teacup.
Iced: Let it cool to room temperature, then serve it with ice cubes and garnishes for a refreshing iced tea.
Accompaniment: Pair with light snacks (like my shortbread biscuits) for a teatime moment of relaxation.

🌟 Nutrition

Orange juice & peels are packed with science-backed nutritional benefits.

Rich Source of Polyphenols: A type of antioxidant that may help protect your body from free radicals and reduce inflammation. Source
Immune System. An excellent source of vitamin C, which helps boost immunity. Source.
Digestive System. A great source of fiber to help support regularity. Source.

To promote overall health, they've also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries (Source).

👋 Conclusion

Tried this orange peel tea recipe? Your comments, ratings & reviews all help bring this recipe to more new readers.

Got questions about making this recipe? Simply use the comments section below to get in touch - I am happy to help you!

🍴Recipe