Are you a fruit lover? Well, now you’re going to learn about a completely new side to your favourite produce. Not only is the delicious fruit flesh sublime, the peel of bananas, pineapple etc. can also be used and does not need to be thrown in the bin straight away. The savvy use of fruit peels is a smart way of reducing food waste. Our ingenious hacks will show you how this works quite simply every day. Also included are some refreshing Dole recipes, such as Tepache, a drink made with pineapple. Let’s use the full power of fruit peel!

 

Hack 1: Simply eat the fruit peel

 

Don’t stress too much about the peel of your favourite fruit. In many cases, you can actually eat the peel. This saves you a lot of organic waste and is really healthy. Vitamins, minerals and fibre – all of which will energise your body – can be found just under the skin. Which fruit can be eaten with their skin on? Pears, apples, apricots and peaches are just some examples. Figs can also generally be eaten with their skins on. In this case, you should choose organic fruit and wash well before eating. Tip: Try them in a smoothie! Pineapples, melons, mangos and pomegranates do need to be peeled however.

 

Hack 2: Add unpeeled fruit to your smoothie

 

Quick to do and very handy! Delicious smoothies are a crafty way of using organic-quality fruit peels. Simply leave apples, pears and other suitable fruit unpeeled, chop them into pieces and add them to the blender. Once the peel is well mixed, you won’t taste it at all, but it will give the drink a pleasant consistency. Add vegetables and rolled oats to make a colourful, healthy and substantial snack. How about our banana and pear smoothie? Take a look at our Dole blog to see countless other smoothie ideas.

 

Hack 3: Ferment pineapple skins

 

You heard correctly – fruit peels are also perfect candidates for fermentation. A great way of trying this fashionable trend is to make our Mexican pineapple-based drink – Tepache. It really is a clever way of using pineapple peel. Let’s be honest – it usually ends up in the bin, doesn’t it? Tepache has a fruity flavour with a hint of sweet and sour. Because of the lactic acid bacteria they contain, fermented foodstuffs are even good for our gut flora. For this recipe you need only pineapple, organic ginger, allspice berries, brown sugar, water, ice cubes and a few pineapple slices and whitecurrants. Find out here how you can conjure up some delicious Tepache. To Mexico!

 

Hack 4: Fruit peels for beauty and grooming

 

Have you just snacked on an orange or banana? Then keep the peel and use it for your next beauty day. Fragrant orange peel (fresh or dried, organic where possible) can be used to brew up a refreshing tea. And when mixed with apple cider vinegar and water, orange peel can be used to make a nourishing hair conditioner. Banana skins are also real heroes when it comes to body care. Use them to alleviate mosquito bites and other skin irritations. Banana skins can also help to relieve bruising or cuts and grazes. Puréed banana skins can be used in face masks and hair treatments. They also have a slightly brightening effect when used for some gentle dental care. And if you would just prefer to eat the yellow fruit, why now try our banana and almond bread in a jar, banana pancake skewers or avocado banana mousse!

 

No more food waste please!

 

Your Dole team