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Why You Should Peel Oranges and Other Citrus Fruits Before Juicing

Why Peel Citrus Fruits Before Juicing? The peel of citrus fruits contains a high amount of essential oils, and it would be a waste to discard them. You can utilize these oils in your cooking with these handy tips.

Administrator

13 July, 2024

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Why You Should Zest Citrus Fruits Before Juicing Them

It’s common to simply cut citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits in half and juice them, discarding the peel afterward. However, this habit can be quite wasteful as it neglects the valuable resource that is the fruit’s peel.

Did you know that the peels of citrus fruits contain a large amount of natural essential oils? These oils are often carefully extracted and used as fragrances in cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and even household products. By discarding the peel, you’re essentially throwing away this precious resource.

So, before juicing your citrus fruits, use a zester to remove the colorful outer layer of the peel. Be gentle and avoid zesting too deeply, as the white pith underneath can impart a bitter taste to your dishes and drinks.

Effective Ways to Use Citrus Zest in Cooking

– Enhance your grilled dishes by mixing citrus zest with spices and herbs. The added zest will take your dishes to the next level!

– Besides using it in baked goods, you can also incorporate citrus zest into sauces and jams. The impressive flavor of the zest will elevate the quality and aroma of your creations.

– When baking, instead of using citrus juice, add the zest to your batter or dough. This ensures that the liquid ratios in your recipe remain unchanged.

– Citrus zest can also be used to elevate your favorite cocktails and beverages.

– If you don’t use all your citrus zest at once, store it in an airtight bag in the freezer. While the color may fade over time, the flavor will remain potent for up to two weeks.

Reference: realsimple.com

Frequently asked questions

Peeling citrus fruits before juicing can help remove essential oils from the peel that may cause an bitter taste and an unpleasant mouthfeel. It also helps reduce the amount of hesperidin, a flavonoid that can make juice taste bitter. Additionally, peeling can help remove pesticides and wax, ensuring a cleaner and healthier juice.

In addition to improving the taste and texture of the juice, peeling citrus fruits can also remove pesticides and wax that may be present on the peel. This ensures that the juice is free from any potentially harmful chemicals and provides a cleaner, more natural taste.

Peeling citrus fruits does not significantly affect the nutritional content of the juice. While some nutrients are present in the peel, the majority are still retained in the fruit itself. By peeling the fruit, you are mainly removing the bitter taste and unpleasant compounds, while still retaining the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in the juice.

Yes, there are some cases where you may not need to peel the citrus fruits before juicing. If you are using organic fruits that are free from pesticides and wax, you may choose to leave the peel on as it can add additional flavor and nutrients to the juice. However, it is still important to consider the potential bitter taste that the peel can impart.

The best way to peel citrus fruits for juicing depends on your personal preference and the tools you have available. You can use a peeler, a small knife, or even your hands to remove the peel. It is important to try to remove only the colored part of the peel (the zest) and avoid the white pith, as it can be bitter. Taking your time to carefully peel the fruit will ensure a better-tasting juice.