Content
Tangerine peels can be eaten and also as a medicine (for insomnia, dysbacteriosis, nail fungus and other pathologies). The zest is used as a cosmetic product for whitening nails and rejuvenating the skin. It can also be used in decoration, as a freshener and a natural insecticide.
Composition of tangerine peel
The zest is the top layer of the tangerine peel (minus the white layer). It has an attractive color and strong aroma. The smell comes from 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, tangerine peel contains organic orange and yellow pigments (including carotene). It is also found in other orange-colored foods, such as carrots, pumpkin, and melon.
How many calories are in tangerine peel?
The benefits and harms of tangerine zest are determined not only by its composition, but also by its nutritional value.
The peel of a tangerine is no less useful than the fruit itself
This is a fairly high-calorie product - 97 kcal per 100 g (fresh). This is 2 times more than the fruit itself (42 kcal per 100 g). Nutritional value for the same weight:
- proteins – 1.5 g;
- fats – 0.2 g;
- carbohydrates – 14.5 g.
The calorie content of tangerine peel is due to its high carbohydrate content. 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?
Tangerine peel can be eaten, but only from healthy, thoroughly washed fruits. To get clean zest, you need:
- Wash the tangerine.
- Pour boiling water over (optional).
- Using a sharp knife with a thin blade, peel off the top layer (without the white film).
- Finely chop into pieces.
You can also use 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.
What are the benefits of tangerine peels?
The benefits of tangerine peel for the body include a beneficial effect on various organ systems. Zest:
- reduces blood pressure;
- reduces blood glucose levels;
- lowers temperature;
- helps cure bronchitis;
- stimulates the synthesis of gastric juice, which facilitates digestion;
- helps cope with insomnia and nervous tension;
- helps relieve swelling;
- improves blood flow;
- increases the effect of painkillers;
- participates in cancer prevention;
- cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol accumulations;
- stimulates fat burning, which is important when losing weight;
- has an immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect.
Its use leads to the awakening of sexual feelings and also tones the body.
Using tangerine peels
Tangerine zest is quite useful, so it is used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. The peel is also used in cosmetology, gardening and even in decoration.
In cooking
Tangerine peel has not only an interesting aroma, but also a piquant taste. It has noticeable sweet and sour tones and a slightly bitter aftertaste. The smell and taste are well expressed, so the peel is used in small quantities.
The zest is added to baked goods and used to make tea and other drinks.
Main areas of use:
- As a flavorful addition to dough, as a decoration.
- For soft and alcoholic drinks, including tea or coffee.
- For jam or preserves.
Therefore, you need to remove the zest very carefully.
You can make candied fruits from the peel. To do this you will need the following ingredients:
- peeling tangerines – 300 g;
- sugar – 300 g;
- water for syrup – 150 ml.
Recipe:
- Wash the fruits.
- To peel.
- Soak it in salted water for 8–10 hours.
- Place in a colander and let the liquid drain.
- Pour water into the pan and add tangerine peel. The liquid should cover the product.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes over low heat.
- Drain in a colander and let cool.
- Cut into strips 6–8 mm wide.
- Prepare syrup from sugar and water.
- Throw the peel into the sweet mixture and cook for about one hour. During this time, the liquid should boil away.
- Pour the candied fruits onto paper and let dry.
Store sweets made from citrus zest in a glass container.
In medicinal wholes
The beneficial properties of tangerine peel have also found their use in folk medicine:
- To eliminate insomnia and relieve nervous tension: put 100 g of tangerine peel in 2 liters of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, filter. Pour into a warm bath before bedtime.
- To prevent dysbacteriosis: add a teaspoon of tangerine peel powder to any dish, for example, porridge, yogurt or omelet.
- To treat nail fungus: rub the plates with fresh tangerine 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 in home recipes, for example:
- Face mask: the resulting zest is ground in a blender to obtain a powder. You need to take it in the amount of 1 tsp, add 1 chicken egg yolk and 1 tsp. l. sour cream 15–20%. Mix everything well and apply to face for 20 minutes.
- To whiten the nail plates, you can rub them with zest every day, and it is better to do this 2-3 times.
- Tangerine peel is ground to powder, a little warm water is added and a finished scrub is obtained. It is rubbed into the body after a shower. Thanks to this procedure, the skin will become soft and more attractive.
In decor
Dried zest is also used for decoration, for example, it can be used to make:
- roses;
- garland;
- Christmas wreath;
- candlestick.
For these purposes, it is better to take the peels of large tangerines or oranges.
You can make an interesting New Year's garland from citrus peel and other decorative elements.
At home
Tangerine peels are also used at home, for example:
- Air freshener (zest of four fruits, 2 tbsp 9% vinegar, 1 tsp cloves and 4-5 g each of cinnamon and vanillin). Grind, mix the ingredients and bring to a boil in 1–2 liters of water. Cool and pour into plates, place on the windowsill, on the table.
- Cut the zest into molds, dry it, make holes on top and thread it with thread or ribbon - you will get original Christmas tree decorations.
- You can thoroughly wipe the cutting board with the zest (preferably tangerine pulp). Thanks to this, all unpleasant odors will immediately disappear.
Use in the garden
The peels of tangerines, oranges and other citrus fruits are used as organic fertilizer. Moreover, it is not necessary to obtain zest for this - you can take the peelings, cut them and bury them in the soil to a shallow depth (5–7 cm). They can also be thrown into a compost bin along with leaves, shoots and other organic materials. Gradually decomposing, the peel releases nitrogen substances that stimulate the growth of other plants.
Another option is to use an infusion on tangerine peel to combat aphids, thrips and other pests:
- Take peelings from six fruits.
- Fill with warm, but not hot water (1 l).
- Leave in a dark place for 6–7 days.
- Strain, add 2 liters of water and a large spoon of liquid soap.
- Spray foliage and shoots.
Drinks made from tangerine peels
You can make interesting drinks from tangerine peels. For example, it is added to tea and even coffee to enrich the taste. Also, based on the zest, decoctions and infusions are prepared, from which you can make any holiday drinks.
Tea
To prepare one glass of tea, take a pinch of crushed tangerine peel. Standard cooking recipe:
- Mix the ingredients in a glass or teapot.
- Pour boiling water over it.
- Cover with a ceramic lid and let sit for 15–20 minutes.
Regular consumption of tea with zest improves immunity
Decoction
To prepare the decoction, take 10 parts of water to 1 part of zest, for example, 100 g of chopped tangerine peel per 1 liter of water. The instructions are simple:
- Put water on fire.
- After boiling, add pre-chopped tangerine peel.
- Cook over moderate heat for about 30 minutes. The lid must be closed.
- Let it brew. After this, the drink must be cooled to room temperature.
Add sugar (or honey) to the resulting broth, as well as citric acid to taste. The chilled drink can be used as an original version of lemonade.
Infusion
You can also prepare an alcohol infusion based on crushed tangerine peel. You will need the following ingredients:
- zest – 25 g;
- vodka – 0.5 l;
- sugar 120–150 g;
- water – 350 ml.
Instructions for preparing the tincture:
- Grind the tangerine peel in any convenient way.
- Pour 350 ml of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Dissolve sugar, stir.
- Combine with vodka.
- Add chopped tangerine peel.
- Close the container and put it in a dark place for a week, shake periodically.
- Strain.
Harm of tangerine peels and contraindications
The main harm to the tangerine peel is due to the fact that pesticides and other harmful substances fall on it. If the fruit has an unnatural shine, green spots, cracks and other damage, it is not worth buying.
However, even environmentally friendly zest is contraindicated for consumption:
- for allergy sufferers;
- patients with gastritis, ulcers, colitis and other pathologies of the digestive system;
- people with kidney diseases.
Doctors recommend that pregnant and lactating women use the peel with caution.
Conclusion
Tangerine peels are a valuable source of essential oil and antioxidants. Therefore, they can be used not only as food, but also as a medicine. Baked goods and drinks are prepared using the zest. The peel is also used at home and in gardening.
