Orange Peel question

[kamaliitaru]

Ok, quick question. Well...more like 2 quick questions...I am planning on making candied orange peel tomorrow. Does anyone know how long it lasts in an airtight container? Also, any tasty recipes for about 8 oranges worth of orange juice or oranges? Thanks!

Comments

[sapphorlando]

Candying does two things to fruit: The sugared syrup draws water out of the fruit, and the boiling causes the fruit to draw up the sugar. A portion of the water and sugar bond chemically, forming a very dense kind of simple syrup, very similar to honey. (Honey is the only completely natural food product that never goes bad, but it will if free water is added to it.) Excess (unbonded) water boils off, leaving behind fruit infused with the bonded sugar, an environment hostile to most spoilage organisms. This has the effect of allowing the fruit to last much longer at room temperature (if kept dry) than it would otherwise -- up to several weeks or a few months.

Keep in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

[a_boleyn]

I stored mine in the fridge for over a year. Although at the end the container was left open and I didn't notice so the peel dried out. I finally ended up pitching the remainder but it was still good. You can always dip the peel in chocolate which people will be happy to nibble on using up your supply. :)

[kamaliitaru]

Thanks! I do want to chocolate dip some, but with the holidays and the ton of sweets around, I kind of wanted to wait a little bit. But, a friend gave me the oranges, and I wanted to make use of them before they were bad, so... such a dilema!