Pineapple Rinds: What Can I Do With Them?

The rind of a pineapple is the tough outer skin on tasty tropical fruit. You can recognize the rind as the parts of the pineapple that you do not usually eat. It is also a little bit spiky and would definitely give you a major stomach ache. But, the rind of the pineapple is not something you have to lose out on. Waste not, want not! 

If you have been throwing out your pineapple peels, don’t beat yourself up. It may seem strange to use a pineapple peel at all, especially if you’ve been told they belong in the bin your whole life. But surprise, because pineapple peels have a lot of health benefits that you could be missing out on. Of all of the praiseworthy produce, pineapple deserves a standing ovation! 

Pineapple peels have a massive range of different uses. From skincare to ritual practice to brewing them into a tasty pineapple beer, the options are essentially limitless when exploring the often overlooked pineapple peel! 

Why Should I Save the Pineapple Peel?

So, pineapple peels can be turned into tons of different things, now what? Why should you take the time out of your day to save a pokey peel? Let us tell you just why! 

It’s Good for the Planet 

Right now, our home planet deserves all of the help that she can get. Using your pineapple peels is also a great way to upcycle your food. By creating less waste and using all parts of the food in your pantry, you do your part in making sure that Earth can keep functioning the way it needs to. It may seem like a small feat to quell a big problem, but it is a start nonetheless. Hello, eco-warrior status! 

Upcycled and fermented foods and drinks are super popular these days (health trend alert), and you can get on top of it at the jump! Upcycled food isn’t just a trend, though; it is a movement that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. People have been fermenting and pickling for thousands of years. Upcycling your food is more than a kitchen experiment. It is an integral part of keeping the Earth healthy (and ourselves too!). 

According to the USDA, between 30 and 40 percent of the food within the United States of America is wasted. A great way to cut down on that waste is to change the way we use food in our daily routine. Why not start with the plucky pineapple? Planning a delicious meal doesn’t need to just include what we eat, but also what we don’t. 

It’s Good for You Too 

Pineapple peels themselves have a ton of health benefits as well. The number of benefits to the trusty rind almost outnumber the uses for the fruit itself. Pineapple peels have many different and beneficial vitamins in them. This includes well-known and loved vitamin superpowers like vitamins B, C, folate, and niacin. 

In addition to the wonderful vitamins that you find in pineapple skin, it is full of antioxidants to boot. Antioxidants are a great help in fighting off free radicals in your body. Antioxidants are also known as excellent immunity boosters. 

But wait, there’s more! Pineapple peels work hard to support your overall immune health because of the high amounts of vitamin C in them. This maintains a strong immune system and a healthy gut. Pineapple peels may support the stimulation of healthy gut flora in the same way that probiotics and prebiotics do. Now, we hope you see all of the incredible things that you get from reusing your pineapple peels.

Here are a few of the things you can actually do with them in order to reap those benefits:

Pineapple Peel Tea 

All you have to do to enjoy this tasty drink is add a little bit of cinnamon to your pineapple peels. Just stick the peels in water over your stove and allow it to simmer. Then, add in the cinnamon, either as a stick, or you can shake cinnamon powder into the pot.

Let the mix simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes, and voila! You’ve got a tasty pineapple tea. You can also enjoy this drink cold. Just ice the mixture after you finish simmering, or pop it into the refrigerator. That’s a qualit-tea. 

Pineapple Peel Spa Day 

Pineapple peel tea is basically a two-in-one mixture. You can use the same method of simmering the pineapple peel to make a lovely toner for your face. Follow the same steps as the tea process above, but skip the cinnamon step. 

The enzymes in the pineapple peel can refresh your skin and get rid of any dead skin cells you may have that are hanging around. This could help with anything from a routine treatment or to target acne. 

Brew a Pineapple Beer: Tepache 

Tepache is simple to make and will use up all of those extra peels you’ve got lying around. All you have to do is add the peels and water to a glass pitcher or jar. Then, add in sugar and water. Cover the mixture. Now, all that is left is to allow the mixture to sit in a room temperature space for about 24 hours (the waiting time is the hardest part!).

Remove the white foam from the top, strain, and enjoy. If that sounds like a little too much, you can buy tepache premade from online retailers. It is still a great alternative to throwing away your pineapple peels. It is an easy and fabulous way to support businesses that make their products with passion. 

Tepache can be made into many different flavors if you are willing to add in the ingredients. You could even take a break from cutting, brewing, and stewing with pre-crafted Picante Mango Chile or Regional Tamarind Citrus. Regardless of whether you create your own or shop online, you are about to discover your new favorite beverage.  

Pineapple Peels Forever 

Hopefully, now you see all of the different ways that pineapple peel can be utilized. Food waste does not have to be waste; it can be a fun bonus batch of pineapple tea or tepache. This list is not exhaustive either. There are a lot of different ways that a pineapple peel can be utilized.

On a larger scale, pineapple peel can be turned into a leather product, or it can even be harnessed and turned into energy for production. At its best, pineapple can become a refreshing tepache brew from the relaxation experts at De La Calle!. We make drinks perfect for every occasion or even a “just because.” 

Nevertheless, pineapple rinds have a ton of different uses, and the Earth will thank you for doing your part to keep food waste levels lowered!  Enjoy! 

Sources: 

What Is Upcycled Food, and How Can It Help Reduce Food Waste? | Real Simple

USDA Food Waste FAQs | US Dept. of Agriculture 

10 Cool Uses for Pineapple Skins | HubPages