This iced Pineapple Skin Tea is an easy way to use pineapple skins rather than throwing them away. It’s surprisingly tasty, sweetened with raw local honey, and has a few health benefits as well.
For another no waste recipe, try my Strawberry Top Syrup.
This is more than your average pineapple tea. It’s a no waste recipe that doesn’t even taste like it was made using pineapple skins, it is that good.
Why make it with the skins? Because it’s surprisingly delicious, but there’s also a ton of nutrients! Pineapple skins contain fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and bromelain. And since it’s sweetened with raw, local honey you will get even more health benefits.
Fun fact, bromelain is an enzyme that doesn’t lose it’s properties as it’s digested. Historically it has been used for it’s anti-inflammatory properties, to aid in digestion, and it has the potential to reduce swelling and bruising.
Now I am no expert but that sounds like a way better option than throwing them in the trash. Oh, and if you’re craving more pineapple, try my Pineapple Upside Down Cobbler or Pina Colada Mocktail. Or if tea is your thing you might like this Harvest Punch with sweet tea.
Pineapple Skin Tea Ingredients
Below is what you’ll need to make pineapple tea, plus a few notes and substitutions.
- Pineapple Skins: You’ll need the skins from one medium sized pineapple. Don’t use the core or your tea will be bitter.
- Raw Honey: Local honey is the best for flavor and health benefits. If you do not have honey you can use granulated sugar or cane sugar in it’s place.
- Orange Juice: I use bottled juice because it’s easier but feel free to use freshly squeezed orange juice as well.
- Water
- Black Tea Bags: You will need 4 standard sized black tea bags or 2 if you have larger tea bags. I use Twinning’s or Luzianne Tea for this recipe.
How to Make Pineapple Skin Tea
1. BOIL THE PINEAPPLE SKINS with honey, orange juice, and part of the water. This will break down the skins allowing them to release juices and nutrients.
2. STEEP THE BLACK TEA with the boiled pineapple skins before straining the pineapple tea into a large pitcher.
3. TOP IT OFF WITH WATER and give it a good stir. Pour into glasses with ice and serve!
Storing Information
You’ll want to store your pineapple tea in an airtight glass pitcher and in the refrigerator. It’s best within 3 days, but can last up to 5 days without getting overly bitter.
To check if your tea is spoiled it’ll become cloudy, have a dirt odor, and sometimes mold will grow on the surface.
3 Tea Tips from Elizabeth
1. WASH YOUR PINEAPPLE prior to cutting off the skins to remove any dirt, debris, or junk you wouldn’t want in your pineapple tea. All you have to do is spritz the skin with vinegar and allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with cool water and lightly scrub with a scrubber if needed.
2. DON’T LET THE TEA STEEP LONGER THAN 5 MINUTES or it will make your pineapple tea super bitter. Set a timer if you get easily distracted like I do.
3. FREEZE YOUR PINEAPPLE SKINS until you’re ready to make the tea. Just place the skins in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 1 month. No need to wait for them to thaw, just throw them in your pot and follow the directions as normal.
More Tea Recipes To Try
Pineapple Skin Tea
INGREDIENTS
- 1 skins from a pineapple
- ½ cup honey - raw and local
- ½ cup orange juice
- 4 bags black tea
- 7 cups water
- orange slices - optional garnish
- fresh mint - optional garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- To a large pot, add pineapple skins, raw honey, orange juice, and 4 cups of water. Bring it to a boil.NOTE: The pineapple skins should be just barely covered with water.
- Once it begins boiling reduce the heat to a simmer, allow it to break down the pineapple skins for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Turn off heat, add the black tea bags, and steep for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the black tea bags. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a large pitcher.NOTE: Press the pineapple skins into the side of the strainer or hand-squeeze the skins to release all the pineapple juices.
- Add 3 cups of water and stir together until everything is well combined. Pour into glasses with ice and serve.
RECIPE NOTES
Storing Information:
- Refrigerated, in an airtight and glass drink container, for up to 5 days. It will become bitter overtime and tastes best on or before day 3.
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
