Tea Guides

Have you heard of tea stuffed into an orange peel? It sounds odd, but it's a fragrant tradition that brings tea and orange together in a lovely way. Here's what it is and how to make it.

Q: What is orange tea stuffed in orange peels?

It's an unusual way of preparing and flavouring tea. Instead of just adding orange flavour, you carefully hollow out an orange, fill it with tea leaves (usually pu-erh or black tea), and let the tea age inside the peel. Over time the tea takes on the orange's citrus aroma and flavour, and you end up with a distinctive, fragrant brew. The peel works as both the flavouring and a natural container, and the tea is considered a delicacy.

Picture: Orange Tea, yunnansourcing.com

Q: What does orange peel tea taste like?

It's a complex, well-balanced mix. The tea, often pu-erh, gives an earthy base, and the peel adds bright citrus sweetness and a little zest. Ageing mellows the tea and lets the orange flavours blend and deepen. Depending on the tea and how long it's aged, you may also taste honey, spice, or a hint of smoke. Overall it's smooth, balanced, and very fragrant.

Q: Where does this way of making orange tea come from?

Stuffing tea into orange peels is most closely linked to Guangdong province in China, where it's a traditional way of preserving and flavouring tea passed down through generations. Guangdong grows a lot of citrus, which probably helped the technique develop, and the local orange variety is considered perfect for it.

Q: How should I store orange peel tea?

Store it properly to keep its flavour and aroma: somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and strong smells. An airtight container is best, to keep out moisture. Some people recommend a ceramic or clay caddy to help it age even better.

Q: How can I make orange peel tea myself?

Making your own is a rewarding project, and you can tailor the flavour to your taste. Here's how:

1. Gather your supplies:

   • Oranges: choose fresh, ripe oranges with thick, firm peel. Organic oranges are best, to avoid pesticides. Pick fairly round ones that can stand upright.

   • Tea: pu-erh is traditional, but you can try other black teas or oolongs. Choose a bold tea that can stand up to the orange.

   • Tools: a sharp knife, a small spoon or grapefruit knife, paper towels, and a well-ventilated place to dry the oranges.

2. Prepare the oranges:

   • Cut off the top: carefully cut a circle around the top of the orange to make a lid. Keep the cut clean and not too deep, and save the lid.

   • Hollow it out: use a spoon or grapefruit knife to scoop out all the pulp, getting out as much as you can without damaging the peel. It's messy, so take your time.

   • Clean and dry: wipe the inside of the peel clean and dry with paper towels.

3. Fill the orange:

   • Add the tea: pack the empty peel firmly with your tea, filling it completely but not so tightly that you can't close it.

   • Put the lid back: place the lid back on top, and hold it in place with a toothpick if needed.

4. Dry the oranges:

   • Air drying: the most traditional way. Put the filled oranges somewhere well ventilated and out of direct sun, ideally on a wire rack so air can move around them, and turn them now and then so they dry evenly. This takes a few weeks to a few months depending on humidity and temperature. They're ready when the peel is hard and dry.

   • Oven drying (faster): heat your oven to its lowest setting (ideally under 200°F or 93°C). Put the oranges on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake for several hours, checking often, with the oven door slightly open to let moisture out. They're ready when the peel is hard and dry.

   • Dehydrator (also faster): if you have a food dehydrator, follow its instructions for drying fruit and check the oranges regularly until they're hard and dry.

5. Age them (optional):

   • Keep them cool and dry: once fully dried, you can age the oranges for a few months so the flavours blend and mellow further. Store them in an airtight container somewhere cool, dry, and dark.

6. Enjoy!

If you'd rather drink pure teas from the Himalayas, take a look at our tea sampler kit page.