How to use an orange peeler?

What exactly is an orange peel?

An orange peeler is a kitchen tool designed to make peeling citrus fruits easier. This little gadget can be very handy for people with arthritis or tendonitis who therefore have trouble peeling oranges and handling other fruits. It can also be useful in a commercial kitchen, where physical contact with food is generally not encouraged. Orange peelers are available at many kitchen supply stores, and if the idea of ​​a single-use kitchen utensil bothers you, stay here, because we're introducing a multi-purpose orange peeler !

Why use a manual orange peeler?

Although the orange peeler might seem like a bit of a silly kitchen tool, it can be very useful. Some people, for example, don't like peeling oranges because they don't like the feeling of orange residue on their fingers after the peeling process is complete. While others think that using tools to peel fruit is simply more hygienic. There are also people who hate the smell of orange on their hands after peeling the citrus fruit. For people with nails that are too short to make the first cuts needed to peel an orange, the citrus peeler can be a useful aid.

Orange peeler: operation

In general, an orange peeler is curved, to fit the hand. It includes a small notch designed to nick the orange peel, as well as a wide, flat blade used to remove segments of the peel after nicking them. If you are good with your hands you can also use the notch to remove part of the white membrane of the orange, if you find this part of the orange unpleasant.

Cut the skin of the orange from top to bottom in order to separate the skin into four parts

Once the cut has been made, use the knife (in black) to peel the orange

Peel an orange with a knife.

In addition to the orange peeler, it is also possible to use a knife, preferably one that is not too sharp, as you will want to grip the blade for better control. When using a knife to peel oranges, the blade should be held firmly just above the tip. It's not the most convenient method, but with a little elbow grease, it works.

An orange peel as a peeler.

An orange peeler can also be used to peel lemons and other citrus fruits. An orange peeler can also be used to peel lemons and other citrus fruits. Since this kitchen tool is quite simple and usually inexpensive, you don't need to think long before choosing it. If you buy an orange peeler that has a serrated knife inside the handle. You will be able to easily and quickly peel your favorite citrus fruits.

What to do with orange peels?

To prepare delicious food

Duck à l'orange accompanied by its zest.

When we use an orange peeler to remove the skin, it should not be thrown away. Indeed, you can use these fragrant parts to prepare tasty dishes. One thing that comes to mind first is the preparation of sweet dishes. Using orange peel to make dishes more refined is a great idea. The tangy, lemony flavor of orange peel goes so well with many types of cakes and cookies. You can cut the zest into thin slices and mix them into the cake batters. If you are lacking inspiration, we recommend the pastry tips from Idea'l Tables . This will give you a final result with the right aroma of orange.

In salad

Additionally, you can put the bark in the salad. Your dish will then be distinguished by its fresh and tangy taste. You can put the sliced ​​bark directly into the salad as a kind of herb. On the other hand, by finely chopping the peel and putting it in the vinaigrette, you will obtain a more pronounced orange taste.

Make it a cup of tea

If you love the aromatic smell of an orange, you can't resist trying orange tea. The recipe is extremely simple. By eating the flesh of an orange, you will have the skin of it. So put a few pieces of skin in your cup and pour hot water into it. Infuse the orange peel for a few minutes. You can add the sweetener of your choice like honey, palm sugar or maple syrup. It will become your favorite tea, rich in vitamin C and antioxidant! Orange peel tea can be your perfect morning tea. It contains good things for your body. The tea will wake you up and give you a fresh start to your day.

Use orange peel to make a cocktail decoration

In addition to using orange peels as food, you can use them as a garnish. The orange peeler does a good job of removing the skin without breaking it into small pieces. A large part of the skin allows us to cut it easily according to our desire. You can cut the skin thinly to make several strips, this also works with lemon peel and zest. Or, if you can use a more complex technique, curve the skin and create fancy patterns.

Make infused oil

For longer storage, you can put the bark in a neutral oil such as olive oil or sunflower oil. This will give you an infused oil. The oil infused with orange peel can be put in several dishes such as salad or Peking duck.

Health Benefits of Oranges

Oranges are a nutritional gold mine, packed with vitamins and minerals. Most notable of these is vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant that prevents cell damage.


The vitamin C found in oranges also has other health benefits:

• Forms blood vessels muscle, cartilage and collagen in your bones.
• It fights inflammation and can reduce the severity of conditions like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
• Strengthens the body's immune system to protect against viruses and germs.
• Improves iron absorption and fights anemia.
• Slows down age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can lead to vision loss.
• Lowers blood pressure and cortisol, the stress hormone.

Besides vitamin C, oranges contain other nutrients that keep your body healthy.

fibers

The fibers in oranges help control blood sugar and reduce high cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Calcium

Oranges contain about 55 milligrams of calcium, or 6% of your daily requirement. This nutrient is important for building strong bones and maintaining bone health. It's usually associated with dairy products like milk, but vegetables and whole fruits, like oranges, are also a good source.

Folic acid or folate

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin that the body uses to create DNA and divide cells. If you don't get enough folate in your diet, it can lead to blood diseases, cancers, and even birth defects. If you are pregnant, eat an orange. It is an excellent natural source of folate.

The natural sugar

This type of sugar is found in whole foods like milk, vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes. Unlike processed sugar found in candy, natural sugar has fewer calories and more nutritional benefits.

Potassium

Oranges are rich in potassium, a mineral that regulates heart rate and muscle function. It has been shown to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Citric acid

An acidic compound found in citrus fruits, citric acid is also used as a natural preservative. Oranges contain a lot of it, and it can change the pH of urine and prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones, or kidney stones.

The team of Mon-épluche-légumes.fr