Making tea stuffed oranges is an innovative and unique way to not only present your tea but also to add a fresh citrusy flavor to your beverage. The process is relatively simple and requires minimal ingredients, the primary ones being mandarin oranges and your choice of tea.
- The first step in this procedure is to carefully select your mandarin oranges. A ripe and juicy mandarin orange is ideal for this purpose as it offers a rich flavor.
- Once the mandarin oranges have been selected, the next step is to remove the flesh of the fruit, leaving only the skin. This is a delicate process that requires careful handling to ensure that the outer skin remains intact as it will later serve as the vessel for the tea.
- Once the flesh has been removed, it is crucial to thoroughly dry the skin. Drying the skin can be done naturally by leaving it in an airy and sunny spot or by using a dehydrator. Drying helps in preserving the orange peels for a longer duration and also intensifies the flavors.
- After the skin has been properly dried, it’s time to stuff it with tea. It is recommended to use loose leaf tea, preferably Puer tea, for this purpose as it allows the flavors to fully blend with the orange skin. The amount of tea to be used depends on personal preference. However, a general rule is to fill three-quarters of the orange skin with tea.
- Following this, the stuffed oranges should be sealed and stored in a cool, dark place allowing them to age, ideally for a few years. The aging process allows the tea to infuse with the orange peel’s essence, resulting in a unique blend of flavors. The longer you allow it to age, more intense will be the flavor.
After sufficient aging, these tea-stuffed mandarin oranges can be used by simply steeping them in boiling water, creating an exotic infusion of tea with a delightful citrusy undertone.
