There's nothing worse getting your hands sticky when trying to peel an orange. What's even more annoying is taking off the peel in a million tiny pieces rather than a couple easy, large strips. There's no doubt that oranges are one of the most difficult fruits to open. You've probably heard of and tried many hacks to make the peeling process go more smoothly, but what really works? Here we give you three simple and non-messy ways to properly peel an orange.
With Your Hands
- First, start with a ripe orange. Ripeness plays a role in how easy it is to peel. Unripe or old oranges will be difficult to peel. The best orange to peel doesn't have any bruises, is firm, has a vibrant orange color, and is heavy for its size.
- Once you have the perfect orange, prepare it for peeling by rolling it between your palm and a flat surface for about 15 seconds. There's no scientific proof behind this practice, but some claim that it helps loosen the skin. But you're not trying to Hulk-smash the orange, so be sure not to use too much pressure.
- Next, using your thumb nail, puncture the skin near the top or bottom of the orange. The skin around the side of the orange is thinner and adheres more to the flesh of the orange, whereas the skin at the top of the orange is thicker and looser.
- Get a nice grip on the orange skin with your thumb, making sure not to puncture the flesh. Accidents happen, so it's wise to place a paper towel over the orange just in case you end up puncturing the fruit and sending juice everywhere.
- Gently begin removing the section of the skin. The larger the section, the easier it will be to peel the rest of the orange. Now that you have one strip off, begin removing the remaining skin. They should come off in large strips.
With A Spoon
- Start by rolling the orange on a flat surface using your open palm, just as in the aforementioned method. Then, using a sharp knife, make a 1- to 1-1/2-inch cut along the side of the orange. Be sure to avoid cutting all the way through the skin.
- Next, insert a spoon under the slit you made in the skin. Work the spoon around the flesh of the orange and loosen and tear away the skin.
With A Knife
- Grab a knife with a pointed tip, preferably a steak knife. Then, insert the tip of the knife into the skin at the top of the orange.
- Make a slice around the top of the orange in a rotating, sawing motion. The knife should be facing towards you while you peel away the skin. Be sure to use a controlled and steady motion. The skin should come off in one spiraled piece. How satisfying! If a little of the flesh comes off, don't worry, this method takes some practice.
- Another way you can use a knife to peel an orange is by making a vertical slice in the orange and peeling away the skin with your fingers. This method isn't as satisfying as the previous one, but it's easier than the typical way of peeling an orange.
How To Use Orange Peels
Once you have your fruit peeled, don't throw your orange peels in the trash! There are so many ways to make use of them. Here are some ideas:
*Candied Orange Peels. *Most are repulsed by the idea of biting into an orange peel, but they taste divine when coated in sugar. Candied orange peels are easy to make and make for a delicious dessert.
*Shoe Deodorizer. * Banish that funky shoe smell forever with a couple of orange peels. All you have to do is place a couple on the soles of your smelly shoes and let them work their deodorizing magic.
*Garbage Disposal Cleaner. *Garbage disposals stink, but you can freshen it up with orange peels. Just run four peels and cold water through your garbage disposal. This can kill nasty odors and leaves a clean, citrusy scent.