Is it possible to eat tangerine peel and how to use it

Tangerine peels can be eaten, as well as a medicine (for insomnia, dysbacteriosis, nail fungus and other pathologies). Zest is used as a cosmetic for whitening nails and skin rejuvenation. It can also be used in decor, as a freshener, and as a natural insecticide.

Composition of tangerine peel

The zest is the top layer of the tangerine peel (without the white layer). It is she who has an attractive color and a strong aroma. The smell gives essential tangerine oil (1-2% mass fraction), the composition includes:

• simple carbohydrates (sucrose, fructose);
• citral;
• aldehydes (including caprylic);
• anthranilic acid ester (gives a citrus aroma);
• limonene;
• antioxidants;
• lower alcohols.

Along with essential oil, mandarin peel contains orange and yellow organic pigments (including carotene). It is also found in other orange-colored foods, such as carrots, pumpkins, and melons.

How many calories in a tangerine peel

The benefits and harms of mandarin peel are determined not only by the composition, but also by the nutritional value.

The peel of a mandarin is no less useful than the fruit itself.

This is a rather high-calorie product – 97 kcal per 100 g (fresh). This is 2 times more than that of the fetus itself (42 kcal per 100 g). Nutritional value for the same weight:

• proteins – 1,5 g;
• fats – 0,2 g;
• carbohydrates – 14,5

The calorie content of mandarin peel is due to the high content of carbohydrates. However, the zest is consumed in small quantities, so it will not affect excess weight in any way. For example, if you put 30 g in tea, the calorie content will be less than 30 kcal (with a total daily intake of 1600–2000 kcal).

Is it possible to eat tangerine peel

Mandarin peel can be eaten, but only from healthy, thoroughly washed fruits. To get a clean zest, you must:

1. Wash the tangerine.
2. Pour boiling water over (optional).
3. Peel off the top layer with a sharp knife with a thin blade (without a white film).
4. Finely chop into pieces.

You can also work with a fine grater. Then it is enough to grate only the top layer and put the zest to dry or immediately use it in tea or other drinks.

Benefits of tangerine peels

The benefits of tangerine peel for the body lies in the beneficial effect on various organ systems. Zest:

• reduces blood pressure;
• reduces the level of glucose in the blood;
• lowers the temperature
• helps to cure bronchitis;
• stimulates the synthesis of gastric juice, which facilitates digestion;
• helps to cope with insomnia and nervous tension;
• helps to relieve swelling;
• improves blood flow;
• increases the effect of painkillers;
• involved in cancer prevention;
• cleans blood vessels from accumulations of cholesterol;
• stimulates fat burning, which is important when losing weight;
• It has an immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect.

Its use leads to the awakening of sexual feelings, and also tones the body.

Uses of tangerine peels

Mandarin zest is quite useful, so it is used both for medicinal and culinary purposes. The peel is also used in cosmetology, gardening and even in decor.

In cooking

Mandarin peel has not only an interesting aroma, but also a spicy taste. It has sweet and sour tones and a slightly bitter aftertaste. The smell and taste are well pronounced, so the peel is used in small quantities.

The zest is added to pastries, used to make tea and other drinks.

Main directions of use:

1. As a fragrant additive to the dough, as a decor.
2. For non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, including tea or coffee.
3. For jam or jam.

Therefore, you need to remove the zest very carefully.

You can make candied fruits from the peel. This will require the following ingredients:

• peeling tangerines – 300 g;
• sugar – 300 g;
• water for syrup – 150 ml.

Recipe:

1. Wash fruits.
2. To peel.
3. Soak it in salted water for 8-10 hours.
4. Drain in a colander, let the liquid drain.
5. Pour water into a saucepan and add tangerine peel. The liquid must cover the product.
6. Cook for 5-7 minutes over low heat.
7. Drain in a colander, let cool.
8. Cut into strips 6–8 mm wide.
9. Prepare syrup from sugar and water.
10. Throw the peel into a sweet composition and cook for about one hour. During this time, the liquid should boil away.
11. Pour candied fruit onto paper and let dry.

Keep citrus peel sweets in a glass container.

In medicinal wholes

Useful properties of tangerine peel have found their application in traditional medicine:

1. To eliminate insomnia and relieve nervous tension: 100 g of mandarin peel is placed in 2 liters of boiling water, insisted for 1 hour, filtered. Pour into a warm bath before bed.
2. For the prevention of dysbacteriosis: tangerine peel powder is added in a teaspoon to any dish, for example, to porridge, yogurt or scrambled eggs.
3. For the treatment of nail fungus: rub the plates with fresh mandarin peel several times a day.

In cosmetology

Essential oil and other beneficial components have a beneficial effect on the skin, as well as on the nail plates. They are used in phytocosmetics and home recipes, for example:

1. Face mask: the resulting zest is crushed in a blender until a powder is obtained. It must be taken in the amount of 1 tsp, add 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp. l. sour cream 15–20%. Mix everything well and apply on face for 20 minutes.
2. To whiten the nail plates, you can rub them with zest every day, and it is better to do this 2-3 times.
3. Tangerine peel is crushed to a powder, a little warm water is added and a ready-made scrub is obtained. It is rubbed into the body after a shower. Thanks to this procedure, the skin will become softer and more attractive.

In decor

Dried zest is also used for decoration, for example, it can be made from it:

• roses;
• garland;
• Christmas wreath;
• candlestick.

For these purposes, it is better to take the peel of large tangerines or oranges.

You can make an interesting New Year’s garland from citrus peel and other decorative elements.

At home

Mandarin peels are also used at home, for example:

1. Air freshener (zest of four fruits, 2 tablespoons of vinegar 9%, 1 teaspoon of cloves and 4–5 g of cinnamon and vanilla). Grind, mix the ingredients and bring to a boil in 1-2 liters of water. Cool and pour into bowls, place on the windowsill, on the table.
2. Cut the zest into molds, dry it, make holes on top and thread a thread or ribbon – you get original Christmas decorations.
3. You can carefully wipe the cutting board with zest (preferably with mandarin pulp). Thanks to this, all unpleasant odors will immediately disappear.

Application in the garden

The peel of mandarin, orange and other citrus fruits is used as an organic fertilizer. Moreover, it is not necessary to obtain zest for this – you can take peelings, cut them and bury them in the soil to a shallow depth (5–7 cm). They can also be tossed into the compost pit along with leaves, shoots, and other organic materials. Gradually decomposing, the peel gives off nitrogenous substances that stimulate the growth of other plants.

Another option is to use an infusion on the tangerine peel to control aphids, thrips and other pests:

1. Take cleanings from six fruits.
2. Pour warm, but not hot water (1 l).
3. Insist in a dark place for 6-7 days.
4. Strain, add 2 liters of water and a large spoonful of liquid soap.
5. Spray foliage and shoots.

Drinks made from tangerines

From the peel of a mandarin, you can make interesting drinks. For example, it is added to tea and even coffee to enrich the taste. Also, decoctions and infusions are prepared on the basis of the zest, from which you can make any holiday drinks.

Tea

To prepare one glass of tea, take a pinch of crushed mandarin peel. Standard recipe:

1. Mix the ingredients in a glass or teapot.
2. Pour boiling water.
3. Close with a ceramic lid and let it brew for 15-20 minutes.

Regular consumption of tea with zest improves immunity

decoction

To prepare a decoction, take 10 parts of water per 1 part of the zest, for example, 100 g of chopped mandarin peel per 1 liter of water. The instruction is simple:

1. Put water on fire.
2. After boiling, put the pre-shredded tangerine peel.
3. Cook over moderate heat for about 30 minutes. The lid must be closed.
4. They let it brew. After that, the drink must be cooled to room temperature.

Sugar (or honey) is added to the resulting broth, as well as citric acid to taste. The chilled drink can be used as an original variety of lemonade.

Infusion

Based on the crushed mandarin peel, you can also prepare an alcohol infusion. You will need the following ingredients:

• peel – 25 g;
• vodka – 0,5 l;
• sugar 120–150 g;
• water – 350 ml.

Instructions for preparing the tincture:

1. Grind the tangerine peel in any convenient way.
2. Pour 350 ml of water into a saucepan, bring to a boil.
3. Dissolve sugar, stir.
4. Combine with vodka.
5. Pour in the chopped mandarin peel.
6. Close the container and put in a dark place for a week, shake occasionally.
7. Strain.

Harm of tangerine peels and contraindications

The main harm of the tangerine peel is due to the fact that pesticides and other harmful substances get on it. If the fruit has an unnatural shine, green spots, cracks and other damage, you should not buy it.

At the same time, even environmentally friendly zest is contraindicated for use:

• allergy sufferers;
• patients with gastritis, ulcers, colitis and other pathologies of the digestive system;
• people with kidney disease.

Doctors advise pregnant and lactating women to use the peel with caution.

Conclusion

Tangerine peels are a valuable source of essential oil and antioxidants. Therefore, they can be used not only for food, but also as a medicine. Based on the zest, baked goods and drinks are prepared. The peel is also used in household and gardening.