How to remove the bitter taste of grapefruit peel

The bitter taste of grapefruit peel can be removed by soaking, blanching, salt rubbing, sugar pickling, or pairing with sweet ingredients.

1. Soaking Method

Cut the grapefruit peel into strips and soak them in clean water. Change the water every few hours for about a day. Clear water can effectively dissolve bitter substances such as naringin in grapefruit peel, and the longer the soaking time, the more obvious the effect of removing bitterness. During the soaking process, gently rub the skin to help release bitter ingredients, suitable for making grapefruit tea or as a pre-treatment for candied fruits.

2. Blanching treatment

Add grapefruit peel to boiling water and boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove and repeat 2-3 times. High temperatures can cause the decomposition of bitter substances, so it is necessary to rinse with cold water after each blanching. This method can quickly remove most of the bitter taste, especially suitable for making cold dishes that need to maintain the crisp texture of grapefruit peel.

3. Rub the grapefruit peel with salt to remove bitterness.

Rub the grapefruit peel surface evenly with salt for 5 minutes, let it stand for half an hour, and then rinse it clean. The frictional effect of salt particles can damage the structure of epidermal cells, promote the leakage of bitter substances, and at the same time, salt penetration can neutralize some bitterness. Processed grapefruit peel is more suitable for direct pickling or as a seasoning.

4. Sugar pickling

Marinate the processed grapefruit peel and white sugar in layers at a ratio of 1:1, and refrigerate for three days. Sugar will gradually penetrate into the fibers of grapefruit peel, masking residual bitterness through sweetness, and the resulting syrup can also increase flavor levels.

5. Seasoning

When cooking, add sweet ingredients such as honey, rock sugar, or red dates to reduce bitterness through flavor blending. When making grapefruit jam, ginger or orange peel can be added to enhance the aroma. When stewing, snow pear, fig and other ingredients can also balance the taste. The processed grapefruit peel contains active ingredients such as dietary fiber and naringin, and moderate consumption can help promote digestion. But those with weak gastrointestinal function should control their food intake and avoid eating on an empty stomach. During the production process, pay attention to using wax free organic pomelos. When cleaning the skin, soak it in baking soda water to remove pesticide residues. After being processed to remove bitterness, grapefruit peel can be made into tea drinks, candied fruits, or added to vegetables, which can enhance flavor and utilize its health value in regulating qi and phlegm.