Go Back
–+ servings
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Traditional Apple Peel Tea

This mild and comforting tea is a wonderful example of the waste-not wisdom that guided generations of home cooks.
Prep Time5 minutes
Brew Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: Americana
Servings: 2 cups
Author: Mary Bryant Shrader

Equipment

  • 1 Vegetable peeler or paring knife
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 1 Fine mesh strainer
  • 1 Teacup or mug
  • 1 Clean cloth, tray, or baking sheet if drying the peels

Ingredients

  • Peels from organic apples, fresh or dried
  • Water to cover the peels
  • 1 small cinnamon stick Optional
  • 1-2 whole cloves Optional
  • 1 thin strip of lemon peel Optional
  • Honey Optional, to taste

Instructions

  • Peel your organic apples, or save the peels left over from another apple recipe.
  • To use the peels fresh, proceed directly to making the tea.
  • To dry the peels, spread them in a single layer on a clean cloth, tray, or baking sheet. Allow them to air-dry completely, or dry them gently in an oven set to 200°F (93°C) or lower until crisp.
  • Place a small handful of fresh or dried apple peels into a small saucepan. Use slightly more peels when fresh and slightly fewer when dried.
  • Add the cinnamon, cloves, or lemon peel, if using.
  • Pour in enough water to cover the apple peels.
  • Bring the water just to a gentle simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and allow the peels to simmer softly for 5–10 minutes.
  • Strain the tea into a cup.
  • Sweeten lightly with honey, if desired, and enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Apple Peel Tea is traditionally light and mild rather than strong or concentrated.
  • Adjust the amount of apple peels to suit your taste.
  • Dried apple peels can be stored in a clean glass jar or cloth bag.
  • Always make sure dried peels are completely free of moisture before storing them.
  • A cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves can add warmth without overpowering the delicate apple flavor.
  • This tea is best enjoyed occasionally as a simple seasonal treat.
  • Recipes to use the whole apple (except for the seeds): Peel the apples and save the apple peels to make Apple Peel Tea. Slice the peeled apples to make an Apple Pandowdy dessert recipe.
Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/old-fashioned-apple-peel-tea-and-more-traditional-recipes/
If you’re building a traditional foods kitchen or stocking a real foods pantry, be sure to get all the books in Mary’s Modern Pioneer cookbook series, published by Penguin Random House: https://marysnest.com/modern-pioneer-cookbook-series/
For free and comprehensive lesson plans to teach traditional food recipes and kitchen techniques to students K-12, download The Modern Pioneer Cookbook Curriculum at https://marysnest.com/cookbook-curriculum/
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional. If you are not feeling well, please seek professional medical attention and medicine. And if you are thinking of supplementing your treatment with home remedies, be sure to talk to your medical professional about them. It's important that you get the medicine and treatments you need to get back to good health.
Also, remember that honey should never be given to infants under the age of one. And if you decide to introduce honey into your toddler's diet, be sure to check with your pediatrician first.
NOTICE: Mary’s Nest, Mary’s Nest Cooking School, The Maslin Method, Maslin Flour Blends, and The Maslin Method Baking School are all Trademarks of Mary’s Nest, LLC.
Copyright © 2026 Mary's Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

QR code

Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

qr code