The Simplest Method to Peel an Orange

Justin Chapple, F&W culinary director at large, offers a solution for the fuss of peeling oranges. "What I dislike most about peeling an orange," Justin shares, "is digging my thumb into it. You might miss and puncture the fruit or leave excess pith. This trick truly changes everything."

Steps to Peel an Orange

You’ll need an orange, a spoon, and a small paring knife. Start by scoring the orange around the center using your knife. Make a cut that is about an eighth of an inch deep but avoid piercing the citrus segments. Next, insert the handle of your spoon between the peel and the fruit.

Gently work your way around the orange until the peel loosens. In just seconds, you’ll discover that half of the peel can be removed in one piece. For less mess, reapply the peel to shield the fruit while you remove the other half.

This hassle-free, mess-free method simplifies preparation for dishes like candied oranges or duck à l’orange.

If the idea of discarding orange peel seems wasteful, there is an added perk! Justin highlights that you can create "awesome little cups" from the peels. These cups can hold sorbet, fruit salad, or even Jell-O shots.

Earlier, SSP told how to easily remove peanut skin.