Whether you’re snacking on orange wedges, garnishing a fruit salad or simply adding a dash of flavor to your favorite drink, it’s important to know how to cut orange slices in the right way.
There are three simple methods: peeling, slicing and segmenting. Each of these techniques produces a different look for your orange slices, so make sure you use one that suits your needs.
Peeling
Peeling oranges can be a bit challenging at times. The skin can be hard to remove, and if it isn’t cut properly, you may lose a lot of the fruit’s juices or texture. Luckily, there are some simple techniques that will help you achieve smooth slices without losing any of their flavor and zest.
First, you’ll want to peel away the rind and pith (white part) from the top of the orange. This can be done with a knife or an orange peel cutter, but it’s much easier to do with your hands.
Next, slice horizontally all the way down the orange. This will leave you with a glistening circle of orange flesh that’s perfect for garnishing salads or desserts.
The last step is to segment the orange into smaller pieces, which will result in a lot of sweet, juicy orange flesh. To do this, find the segments on the orange and carefully use a paring knife to cut between each one and the membrane that binds them together.
Slicing
Orange slices are a quick and easy way to garnish fruit salads, smoothies, fruit tarts, and cocktails. They can also be used as a garnish for savory dishes.
For a more decorative look, cut the orange into circular slices that are 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick. Set the orange on its side (so that the top and bottom are off the cutting board) and hold it steady at one end with your non-dominant hand.
Repeat this step until all the peel is off. This method can be more difficult than slicing half-moons, but it does produce round slices with a more beautiful presentation.
To segment oranges, start by removing all of the skin and pith on the outer layer of the fruit. After that, hold the orange in your hand and look for thin white lines on the surface of the orange that indicate segments.
Segmenting
One of the most popular ways to enjoy oranges is to segment them. This method allows you to remove the bitter white pith and skin from the orange while leaving the juice behind.
You can use segmented oranges in salads, jellies, and desserts. They also make a pretty garnish on plates or platters.
Segmented oranges are easier to eat than wedges and have a more pleasant flavor. They are especially popular in salads because they don’t have the papery membrane and seeds that can be difficult to chew.
To segment an orange, cut into each side of the fruit just next to the membrane. Rotate the knife to peel away the segment from the opposite membrane. Repeat this until all of the segments are removed from the orange.
Wheels
A great garnish for cocktails, orange wheels look fancy and add an extra citrus touch. They’re also easy to make and store.
You can cut orange wheels with a knife or mandoline. The key is to get a firm hold of the fruit and slice straight through the center.
Then, lay each half on a cutting board cut-side down. With a sharp knife, cut several angled slices into each half until you have your desired number of wheels.
Once you’re done, you can either use the wheels to garnish a drink or keep them as a decorative decoration. For the latter, try using them to make a garland!
Another way to turn oranges into edible decorations is to dry them. If you do, they’ll keep for up to a year.