Chen Pi (Dried Mandarin Peel)
Chen Pi (Dried Mandarin Peel)
- Allow 7 to 14 days
Chen pi, dried mandarin peel from Citrus reticulata, has been used in Chinese cooking and herbal medicine for centuries. It tastes sweet and fragrant at first with a gently bitter finish, and a little lifts a rich braise, a pot of congee or a sweet red bean soup.
Key Benefits
- Bittersweet citrus flavour: more rounded than fresh zest, with a slightly bitter note that holds up to long, slow cooking.
- A Cantonese kitchen staple: the usual partner for red bean soup, congee, braised duck and beef, steamed beef balls and long-simmered stocks.
- Makes a simple citrus tea: steeped in hot water on its own, or with ginger or black tea.
- Traditionally taken after rich meals: chen pi has long been used in Chinese medicine to help settle the stomach.
- Keeps well: stored dry and airtight it holds its fragrance for a long time, and the flavour mellows as it ages.
- Certified organic peel: grown and processed to certified organic standards.
In cooking: Rinse a few pieces and soak them in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes until soft. Scrape away some of the white pith with a spoon if you want less bitterness, then slice into thin strips or add it whole. Around 3 to 5 g flavours a pot of congee, stock or red bean soup for four. Add it early and go easy, as too much turns a dish bitter. In a braise it sits well with Star Anise, soy sauce and a little sugar.
Chen pi tea: Steep a piece or two in a cup of just-boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a few pieces of Ginger Root on a cold night, or simmer it with a small handful of Hawthorn Berries for a tart, fruity cup after a big dinner.
Chen pi means aged peel. Kept dry it darkens and mellows over the years, and very old peel is so prized in Cantonese cooking that an old saying values it weight for weight with gold.
Tangerines are a type of mandarin, so dried tangerine peel and dried mandarin peel are the same ingredient sold under different names.
Everyday dried orange peel comes from sweet oranges and tastes brighter and sweeter. Orange Peel Sweet is the one for tea blends and baking, while chen pi has the deeper, bitter edge savoury dishes call for.
Avoid if you have a citrus allergy. Citrus peel can upset dogs and cats, so keep it out of their reach. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
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