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Dried Orange Peel
Dried Orange Peel, Citrus x sinensis, is also called dried orange zest or dehydrated orange peel.Orange Peel has an essential oil content of about 2.5%.
What is Dried Orange Peel
This is made from the outer orange peel, with most of the white part of the rind, called the pith (may contain up to 2.5% pith), being avoided. The pith gives a bitter flavor, while the zest contains the highest oil content and the most pleasing flavor, the reason it is so popular with our brewers and distillers. used in baking. Oranges are one of the earliest citrus fruits grown in the United States.History of Florida Oranges
Oranges have long been a huge part of Florida's economy, bringing in billions of dollars annually. The license plates from Florida have oranges on them and the state beverage is orange juice!Citrus and Florida go hand in hand, but this was not always the case. The first orange trees were brought over by Spanish explorers, and these sour oranges were planted in Florida sometime in the 1500s. The Spanish were never able to establish a long-standing colony in Florida; they left, but the trees remained, and started to grow wild. By the 1800s, oranges had become abundant and farmers had begun cross breeding these to develop sweeter oranges. This turned them into a commodity but since picked oranges were most often transported by wagon or barge, spoilage during long shipping periods was a problem. By the 1870s, though, railroads were established along the east coast which provided higher-speed transport from Florida to the northern markets, and northerners were happy to eat these sweet-tart treats. The Florida orange industry survived a series of devastating freezes in 1894-1895 that saw its production drop from millions of crates shipped per year to just 175,000. Oranges are now the second-most consumed fruit in the US, coming in only behind apples.
Florida Orange Cultivation
The types of oranges used in dried orange peels depends on the time of year. During winter, the oranges used are navel and sub-varieties of that orange. During the summer, it's Valencia and the sub-varieties of that kind of orange. These are all sweet oranges with a lot of flavor in their peel.Today, orange farmers are facing a potentially devastating crisis. Many of the orange groves in Florida have been struck by a disease that originated in China called "Citrus Greening" or "Yellow Dragon Disease." Florida’s Department of Citrus calls this “one of the most destructive foreign plant diseases imaginable” and have stated that it “has decimated the state’s iconic industry.” This disease first appeared in Florida in 2005 and has since been devastating crops. More than 7,000 farmers were growing oranges in 2004 and a little more than a decade later, only around 2,000 were still farming oranges.
Tropicana has partnered with the University of Florida to create experimental groves of disease-tolerant orange varieties. Bayer's crop science division has collaborated with Minute Maid in developing an anti-bacterial agent to fight citrus greening. Florida’s Department of Citrus reported in 2019 an increase in the amount of fruit boxed during the previous several years as a sign that the industry was slowly rebounding.
Where are Dried Orange Peels From
Our Dried Orange Peel comes from oranges grown in Florida.What does Dried Orange Peel Taste Like
Our Florida Orange Peel is highly fragrant and has a lovely, potent citrus flavor.What are Dried Orange Peel Good For
Florida Orange Peel is a great way to add fruit flavor to sweet and savory food. Add this as a secret ingredient in cherry pie filling for a surprising hint of tang. Stir into pound cake. Make homemade cranberry sauce with orange peel or turn it savory and make homemade cranberry-orange chutney. Add to pancakes. Add to mulled wine. Make a savory fruit salsa with Florida Dried Orange Peel and papaya. Add a citrus boost to green beans almondine. Make a rub with rosemary and use it on beef, pork, or duck. Stir zest into tabbouleh salad. Make a sauce for browned tempeh with orange peel and soy sauce. This is a very popular ingredient with our craft brewers to flavor witbiers or saisons and with our craft distillers in making vermouths.Orange peel is used frequently in Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Dried orange peel is widely used in Chinese cuisines, mostly in sauces for chicken and beef or dishes that require long simmering or stir-frying to cook.
When used in combination with other spices, Dried Orange Peel is nicely complimented by mint, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, sage and rosemary.
To rehydrate Florida Orange Peel, add three parts of liquid to everyone one part peel and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Dried Orange Peel Substitutions
Dried orange peel is much more potent than fresh orange peel, so you only need 1/3 of the amount of dried peel when fresh zest is called for in a recipe.| Ingredients | Florida Oranges |
| Also Called | Dried orange zest or dehydrated orange peel |
| Recommended Uses | Use in vermouths, Belgian witbiers, saisons, chutneys, pies, salsas, and sauces |
| Flavor Profile | Highly fragrant and has a lovely, potent citrus flavor |
| Oil Content | 2.5% |
| Botanical Name | Citrus x sinensis |
| Cuisine | Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian |
| How To Store | Airtight container in a cool, dark place |
| Shelf Life | 1-2 years |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Dietary Preferences | Gluten Free, Non-GMO |
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