A warm cup of cinnamon apple tea is delicious, nutrient-packed, and will make your house smell amazing as it simmers on your stove.
In my house, I’m always trying to find ways to stretch and use every last bit of the groceries I buy. I love the taste of a whole apple, peel and all, but some recipes call for peeled apples. I think it’s a textural thing.
If you’ve wondered what to do with leftover apple peels other than tossing them into the compost bin, we’ve got you covered. You can use leftover apple peels to make this amazing warm tea spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with honey – one of our favorite hot tea recipes!
Follow the instructions below to make yourself a hot pot of apple peel tea and fill your house with this spicy apple aroma.
How to Make Apple Peel Tea
Ingredients
- Peels of ~6 apples
- 3-4 cups of filtered water
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, or 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Cooking directions
- Peel approximately 6 apples using yourapple peeler.
- Place apple peels, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Bring the apple tea mixture to a boil, and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Filter the peels out of the tea using a colander over a pot.
- Add honey to taste. Pour and enjoy!
Apple Peel Tea FAQ
Are apple peels good for you?
Apple peels are great for you!
- They contain high levels of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, which keeps your immune system healthy to fend off sickness during cold and flu season.
- They also have a ton of vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.
- Peels are high in antioxidants called polyphenols, which fight free radicals and can have an anti-aging effect on the body.
- Antioxidants are strong disease-fighters, including cancer.
Are apple peels the most nutritious part?
Most of the nutritional content of an apple is in the peel, so throwing these out and eating the pulp inside means you’ll be missing out on a ton of essential nutrients.
The peel is high in fiber, which helps to keep you full for longer, improves digestion, and can lead to less food consumption throughout the day.
Can I freeze apple peel tea for later?
Yes! If you have some that you don’t want to use yet, here’s what to do with apple peels for the tea.
- First, seal them in a freezer bag or container to use later. They’ll last a few months in the freezer.
- If you want to make this drink for a holiday party, you can boil only the apple peels in water without the other ingredients.
- Strain the peels out of the liquid, store in the fridge for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- When it’s time to enjoy them, heat the liquid on the stovetop and add in lemon, cinnamon, and honey.
- You can also warm this tea in a crockpot to fill your house with the sweet smell of apple and cinnamon.
Does this tea contain caffeine?
This apple peel tea recipe is entirely caffeine-free.
If you’d like to make a caffeinated version, add one teaspoon of black tea powder or a few teaspoons of loose black tea leaves in the last few minutes of cooking.
Final Word: Using Apple Peels for This Cold Season Tea
This apple peel tea is a great winter tea, but you can make an iced version in the summer by cooking down the mixture longer to make it more concentrated.
In the winter, less produce is in season, and it can be hard to eat enough fresh, nutritious food. This apple peel tea is high in vitamin and mineral content, so make yourself a cup or two and drink up!
Apple peels don’t have to get tossed in the garbage. If you don’t drink tea, you can use your peels in countless other ways, too. Use your peels to make hard cider, vinegar, or as a crisp, sweet salad topping. Enjoy!