How to Brew Tea Orange: A Refreshing Recipe with Orange Peel and Mandarin Slice

May 1, 2025

8 Mins Read

Index

Ingredients for Orange Tea
How to Brew Tea Orange+
Tips for Enhancing Your Orange Tea
Benefits of Orange Tea
Conclusion
FAQs+

In this guide, we’ll show you how to brew tea orange using fresh peels and mandarin slices for a refreshing drink that works hot or cold.

You’ll learn the perfect steeping time and which spices pair best with citrus flavors. This recipe takes just 10 minutes from start to sip.

Key Takeaways

Orange peel contains more vitamin C than the fruit itself, making it a valuable addition to tea instead of throwing it away.
For the perfect orange tea, steep fresh orange peels and mandarin slices with your chosen tea base for about 5 minutes until the water turns amber.
Remove all white pith from orange peels before brewing to avoid bitterness in your final drink.
Adding warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, or ginger creates a more complex flavor that pairs well with the citrus notes.
Orange tea offers health benefits including immune support, potential weight management, and anti-inflammatory properties in a simple 10-minute preparation.

Ingredients for Orange Tea

Now that you understand why orange tea deserves a spot in your beverage rotation, let’s gather everything you’ll need to make this zesty drink. The right ingredients create the perfect balance of citrus and warmth in your orange tea.

Fresh orange peel from 4 oranges adds essential oils and bright flavor to your tea.
Mandarin slices offer a sweeter citrus note that complements the orange peel perfectly.
Black tea serves as a robust base for orange tea, though green tea works well for a lighter version.
Cinnamon sticks (about 2 inches long) bring warmth and spice that pairs beautifully with citrus.
Cardamom pods (2 green pods) add an exotic touch and subtle complexity to the brew.
Cloves (2-3 pieces) contribute a deep, aromatic quality that enhances the orange flavor.
Fresh ginger (optional) provides a spicy kick and extra warmth for cold winter days.
Honey or other sweeteners like agave nectar balance the tanginess of the citrus.
Freshly squeezed orange juice (about ½ cup) intensifies the citrus flavor in your tea.
Water (about 2 cups for a standard brew) forms the base of your orange tea.
Ice cubes transform your hot orange tea into a refreshing iced version for summer days.
Loose leaf tea creates a more flavorful drink compared to tea bags if you prefer a stronger brew.

How to Brew Tea Orange

Brewing tea orange combines simple steps with amazing flavors that will transform your tea experience. You’ll learn how to prepare fresh orange peels, steep them with your favorite tea, and create a drink that balances citrus brightness with tea depth.

Preparing the orange peel and mandarin slices

Fresh orange peels make the perfect base for a flavorful tea. Start by washing your oranges or mandarins thoroughly to remove any pesticides or wax coating. Peel the fruit with your hands or use a vegetable peeler for thinner strips.

Next, scrape off the white pith from the inside of the peels as this bitter layer can affect your tea’s taste. Cut the peels into thin strips for faster drying and better flavor release.

To dry your orange peels, preheat your oven to 200°F. Spread the peel strips on a paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them until they feel completely dry and slightly crisp to touch.

This process creates fragrant dried orange peel that stores well and releases intense citrusy flavors into your tea. For the mandarin slices, cut thin rounds that will add both visual appeal and a tangy burst to your finished tea.

These bright orange pieces will infuse your hot water with essential oils and natural sweetness.

Boiling water and adding ingredients

Once your orange peels and mandarin slices are ready, it’s time to heat the water. Fill your pot with fresh water and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the prepared orange peels directly to the water before it boils.

This step differs from regular tea brewing because the peels need time to release their oils and flavor. The water should reach a rolling boil, which you’ll recognize by the steady stream of bubbles rising to the surface.

Turn off the heat once the water boils vigorously. Cover the pot with a lid right away to trap the steam and flavors inside. Let the mixture steep until the water transforms into a beautiful amber color.

This process typically takes about 15 minutes, similar to steeping tea bags. For extra flavor depth, you might add cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, or ginger during this steeping phase.

These additions create a more complex and aromatic orange tea that delights both your nose and taste buds.

Steeping for the perfect flavor

After adding your water and ingredients, steeping time plays a crucial role in creating the perfect orange tea flavor. Five minutes stands as the ideal steeping duration for most orange tea blends.

This timing allows the tea leaves to release their flavors while the orange peel infuses its citrus notes throughout the brew. Too short, and you miss the full taste profile; too long, and bitterness from tannins in the orange peel might take over your cup.

For iced orange tea, follow the 2:1:5 rule – 2 teaspoons of black tea, 1 teaspoon of dried orange peel, and 5 minutes of steeping in 150 ml of boiling water. The tea should turn a rich amber color when ready.

A glass teapot works great for watching this transformation. If using fresh mandarin slices instead of dried peel, you might need to steep slightly longer to extract their more subtle flavors.

The fragrance will tell you when your orange tea has reached its peak flavor point.

Tips for Enhancing Your Orange Tea

Orange tea offers a bright, citrusy flavor that can be elevated with simple tweaks. These tips will help you transform a basic orange tea into a memorable beverage experience.

Remove all white pith from orange peels to prevent bitterness in your brew. The pith contains compounds that can overpower the pleasant citrus notes you want in your cup of tea.
Try simmering your ingredients instead of traditional steeping for deeper flavor extraction. This method allows the heat to draw out more essential oils from the orange peel.
Substitute dried orange peels if fresh ones aren’t available. Dried peels create a more concentrated flavor profile and store longer than fresh varieties.
Skip the orange juice if you prefer a spicier tea with less sweetness. The juice adds natural sugars that might mask the complex flavors of your tea base.
Add warming spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, or fresh ginger to create a more complex flavor profile. These additions pair perfectly with the citrus notes and add depth to your brew.
Sweeten with honey rather than sugar for a more nuanced sweetness that complements the orange flavor. The floral notes in honey enhance the natural citrus taste.
Store leftover orange tea in a glass pitcher in the refrigerator for up to three days. This creates a ready-made iced tea option or can be reheated for hot enjoyment later.
Use loose tea rather than tea bags for better flavor development and quality. Loose leaves expand fully during brewing, releasing more flavor compounds.
Experiment with different tea bases such as black, green, or oolong to find your perfect match with orange flavors. Each tea type brings unique characteristics that pair differently with citrus.
Control water temperature based on your tea type to avoid bitter results. Black teas can handle boiling water, while green teas need cooler temperatures around 175°F.

Benefits of Orange Tea

Beyond the tasty flavors we’ve explored, orange tea offers remarkable health advantages. This fruity drink packs a punch against colds and flu by clearing congestion in your airways.

Many tea drinkers report feeling less hungry after a cup, which may support weight loss goals. The natural compounds in orange peel tea fight inflammation throughout your body while delivering powerful antioxidants that protect your cells.

The flavonoids found in this citrus brew might help combat cancer cells, according to recent studies. Your smile benefits too – orange tea freshens breath and may even whiten teeth naturally.

The high vitamin C content boosts your immune system, especially during winter months when colds spread quickly. For those watching their caffeine intake, herbal orange tea provides these benefits without the stimulant effects of black or green varieties.

Conclusion

Brewing orange tea offers a simple yet delightful way to enjoy a vitamin-rich beverage at home. You can create this zesty drink in just ten minutes using fresh orange peels and mandarin slices that might otherwise go to waste.

The bright citrus flavor pairs wonderfully with both black and green tea bases, making it versatile for hot or iced versions. Your homemade orange tea delivers more than just great taste—it provides respiratory benefits, anti-inflammatory properties, and immune support through natural vitamin C.

Try this refreshing recipe today and transform ordinary tea time into a fragrant, healthful ritual that awakens your senses.

FAQs

1. How do I make orange peel tea at home?

You can make orange peel tea by adding dried orange peels to hot water and letting it steep for 5-7 minutes. For more flavor, try adding a slice of fresh orange or mandarin to your teapot before straining the tea.

2. Can I use tea bags instead of loose tea for orange tea?

Yes, tea bags work well for making orange tea. Simply place the tea bag in your cup, add hot water, and drop in some orange peel. Let it steep until you reach your desired flavor strength.

3. What are the health benefits of tea made with orange peels?

Orange peel tea offers several health benefits including vitamin C and antioxidants. It may support digestion and help reduce inflammation, making it both tasty and good for you.

4. Is it better to use fresh or dried orange peel for tea?

Fresh orange peel gives a bright, zesty flavor while dried peels offer a deeper, more concentrated taste. You can roast fresh peels briefly to enhance their flavor before adding them to your tea.

5. How do I make orange iced tea for summer?

Brew your orange tea with black or green tea leaves and orange peels, then let it cool to room temperature. Add ice, a splash of syrup if desired, and garnish with blood orange slices for a refreshing summer drink.

6. Can I combine orange tea with other flavors?

Orange tea pairs wonderfully with spices like those found in masala chai or with other fruits for a complex fruit tea. Try adding dried fruits like apples or berries to your orange tea, or blend it with pu-erh tea for a unique flavor profile.