In our daily life, tangerines are a fruit that can be seen everywhere and is loved by people. It is sweet and sour, and has high nutritional value, especially in winter, oranges have become a frequent guest on many family tables. However, when it comes to orange peels after eating, most people's first instinct is probably to throw them away, thinking they are useless.
Today, we're going to talk about the magical changes that can be made if you steam these neglected orange peels in a pot, and what surprises they can bring, saving money and being practical.
1. The amazing "transformation" of orange peel: from kitchen waste to treasure
When it comes to orange peels, you might frown and think what good is this thing to do but throw it away? You know, that orange peel is actually rich in essential oils, pectin, flavonoids and other ingredients, these are all treasures. Don't underestimate these things, they can make a difference in our lives.
For example, the essential oil, which smells fragrant, can not only refresh the mind, but also be used as a detergent, which is particularly good for removing oil stains. As for pectin, it is even more powerful, it can adsorb heavy metals and radioactive substances, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a small "environmental guard".
However, if you just shove this orange peel into your mouth, you are very wrong. Untreated orange peel, pesticide residues and wax on the surface, eating too much is not good for the body.
At this time, a small steamer can make a big difference. Putting the orange peel in a pot and steaming it will not only kill the bacteria, but also allow those beneficial ingredients to be released better. In this way, those seemingly useless orange peels can be transformed into a rare treasure in the family.
2. Wash the gold in your hands: the correct way to clean orange peels
Don't underestimate the work of washing orange peels, this is a technical job. To get the most out of orange peels, they must first be washed cleanly.
Let's start with a little science, the inconspicuous dust and soil on the surface of orange peel, as well as pesticide residues and bacteria that you can't see or touch, all of which have to be washed off. You may ask, can't you just rinse them with water? Oh, that's not good, these stubborn stains can't be washed away with water alone.
At this time, baking soda, salt, and flour at home can come in handy. Baking soda is alkaline and neutralizes the acidic components of pesticides, salt disinfects and flour absorbs dust and soil.
Mix these three things together, get in touch with the orange peel, scrub it gently, and you will find that the stain on the orange peel is gone, and it becomes clean. In this way, the orange peel can better release its intrinsic value in the subsequent steaming process.
3. The mystery of distillation: the steaming process of orange peel
The transformation of orange peel during steaming is not only a simple physical change, but also a direct manifestation of a series of complex chemical reactions. When the orange peel is exposed to steam, the high temperature first kills the microorganisms on the surface of the orange peel, which is essential for food safety.
Subsequently, the water-soluble components inside the orange peel, such as vitamin C and certain flavonoids, gradually dissolve in the water vapor. These substances, according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, have certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are of great benefit to human health.
During the steaming process, the essential oils in the orange peel are also stimulated, and some components in the essential oils, such as limonene, may have a soothing effect on the respiratory system, according to the study of Modern Pharmacology.
The time and temperature of steaming have a direct impact on the extraction of these components. Generally, steaming for about 5 minutes will achieve an initial effect, but if you want to extract essential oils and other beneficial ingredients more fully, it may take longer and more refined temperature control.
4. Gold in the sun: drying and aging
After the peel is dried, it enters the aging stage, and its value increases with time. During the drying process, the moisture in the orange peel gradually evaporates, making the skin crunchy, and the composition of the orange peel also changes.
Sun-drying gradually reduces the volatile components in orange peels, such as essential oils, but this does not mean that their value decreases, and the concentration of certain non-volatile flavonoids and polyphenols actually increases during the drying process, which have strong antioxidant properties and have potential benefits for the prevention of certain chronic diseases.
Aging is a further deepening process of drying orange peels, and generally speaking, the longer the ageing, the higher the medicinal value of orange peels. During the aging process, certain components in orange peel undergo a slow oxidation and polymerization reaction, producing new compounds.
These new compounds tend to have more distinctive aromas and more health benefits. The antimicrobial ability of orange peel is enhanced during aging, which may be related to certain newly formed compounds in the peel.
The storage conditions of the orange peel are also crucial during the aging process. It is essential to ensure that the storage environment is dry and ventilated to avoid the growth of mold.
At the same time, storage away from light can slow down the decomposition of certain light-sensitive components and maintain the quality of orange peel. Over time, after three years or more of aging, the color of the orange peel will gradually change from bright orange to dark brown, and the aroma will be more intense, and the orange peel has become a veritable "gold in the sun".
5. The Blend of Tradition and Modernity: The Application of Orange Peel in Modern Medicine
The medical value of orange peel not only has a long history in traditional medicine, but also has a place in modern medical research. Modern medical research has shown that the flavonoids in orange peel, such as hesperetin, have the potential effect of lowering blood lipids and blood sugar.
In a research article published in the Journal of Nutrition, a clinical trial observed that celleretin had a positive effect on improving blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings provide a scientific basis for the medical application of orange peel, while also expanding our understanding of this traditional ingredient.
In addition, modern pharmacological studies have also found that a variety of organic acids in orange peel, such as citric acid and malic acid, are helpful in promoting human metabolism.
These organic acids are able to participate in the energy metabolism process in the body, helping to improve physical performance and reduce fatigue. In addition, the pectin component in orange peel can also promote intestinal health and help maintain the balance of intestinal flora.
In the research of modern medicine, these unique components of orange peel are extracted and purified for the development of new drugs and health supplements. This not only validates the understanding of the efficacy of orange peel in traditional medicine, but also demonstrates the great potential of combining traditional and modern medicine.
VI. Conclusion
In this age of natural, healthy lifestyles, the example of orange peel reminds us that nature's gifts are often in the humble corners.
It's not just orange peels, but many of the natural substances around us that may contain valuable properties that go undiscovered.
Therefore, we should explore and cherish the gifts of nature with curiosity and awe.