Pineapple peel tea recipe—that’s how this story begins. Not in a trendy café or a wellness blog, but in my own kitchen, where I first simmered pineapple skins with cloves, cinnamon, and fresh ginger on a rainy Portland afternoon. What started as a simple way to reduce waste quickly turned into one of my most powerful anti-inflammatory staples. This tea didn’t just warm my body; it calmed my chronic joint pain and revived my energy.
Back when I was struggling with inflammation, I searched for something natural that didn’t come in pill form. I remembered how my grandmother would brew citrus peel teas in her sunlit New Mexico kitchen. Inspired, I adapted that memory into something new—this deeply nourishing, naturally sweet pineapple peel tea recipe.
The aroma is comforting, the benefits are real, and best of all—it’s made from ingredients you’d likely toss away. As someone who grows her own ginger and values every part of a plant, this recipe feels like home. It’s loaded with bromelain, a natural enzyme known to fight inflammation, and spices that soothe the gut and mind.
Whether you’re dealing with inflammation, want to boost immunity, or simply love a feel-good ritual, this pineapple peel tea recipe brings flavor and function together beautifully. Now let’s dig into how this unexpected hero became one of my favorite healing brews—and how it can become yours too.
Table of Contents
Rediscovering Flavor and Wellness with Pineapple Peel Tea
Why pineapple peel is more than compost
If you’ve been tossing your pineapple skins, you’re missing out on something special. With this pineapple peel tea recipe, you’ll not only reduce waste but also gain a wellness drink packed with flavor and healing potential. In fact, most of the fruit’s bromelain—a powerful enzyme known for fighting inflammation—is in the peel and core. This means the part you’d usually throw away is actually the most potent.
I first brewed this tea on a whim while prepping pineapple for my spicy grilled chicken salad. The house filled with warm spice and citrusy sweetness. That scent alone made it clear this recipe would be a keeper. But it was the way my body felt afterward—light, less inflamed, more focused—that turned this into a weekly ritual.
There’s something beautiful about making something so nourishing from what others discard. It’s a mindset I bring to all my anti-inflammatory cooking, whether it’s in this tea or in a bowl of hearty root vegetable soup. Nature gives us what we need—we just have to pay attention.
Pineapple Peel Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 piece pineapple, well-washed with crown removed
- 10 cups water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 7 piece cinnamon stick
- 1 piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into chunks
Instructions
- Place a chopping board on a tray to catch juice. Cut off the pineapple crown and base.
- Peel the pineapple in long vertical strips. Reserve all peels, base, crown, and core.
- Add all pineapple scraps into a large pot.
- Pour in 8 cups of water and add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
- Blend the fresh ginger with 1 cup of water until smooth. Add it to the pot. Rinse blender with 1 cup more water and pour that in.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 12–15 minutes.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 35–40 minutes. Midway, press gently on the peels to release extra flavor.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool completely.
- Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
- Pour into bottles or jars. Store in the refrigerator. Shake or stir before serving. Enjoy warm or over ice.
Notes
- Organic pineapple is best when using the peel.
- For stronger flavor, let the mixture steep overnight before straining.
- Adjust sugar to your taste preference.
- You can serve it chilled with a slice of lime or hot with a cinnamon stick.
Nutrition
The flavor profile: warming, spicy, and naturally sweet
This pineapple peel tea recipe isn’t just medicinal—it’s downright delicious. The base comes from pineapple peel and core, which create a slightly tangy sweetness. Add to that the warming spice of cinnamon and cloves, the punch of fresh ginger, and a touch of vanilla and brown sugar, and you get a rich, layered tea that’s perfect both hot and iced.
The ginger gives it bite. The cinnamon smooths things out. The vanilla rounds the edges. And if you’re drinking it cold, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
I love serving it at brunches with other healing favorites like my roasted beet salad with tahini dressing or sipping it slowly in the evening when I need something grounding. No caffeine. No crash. Just comfort in a mug.
We’re just getting started—next up in Part 2: the exact ingredients, prep steps, and my tested brewing method that brings out the best in this tropical tea.
How to Make Pineapple Peel Tea at Home
The ingredients: simple, healing, and budget-friendly
The beauty of this pineapple peel tea recipe is in its simplicity. You don’t need fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients—just a fresh pineapple, a few pantry spices, and some time. Every component plays a role, from the enzyme-rich peel to the warming cinnamon and gut-soothing ginger. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes second nature after just one try.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pineapple, well-washed with crown removed
- 10 cups water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 to 8 whole cloves
- 1 (4–6 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into chunks
Before chopping, be sure to rinse your pineapple well—this tea is all about the skin. You’ll be amazed how much flavor and nutrition live in what’s usually tossed aside. If you’re new to this kind of cooking, you might love browsing my zero-waste kitchen tips for more ways to cook resourcefully.
Instructions: your step-by-step guide
This method gently extracts all the flavor from your peels and spices without bitterness. Here’s how to do it:
- Place a chopping board over a tray to catch juice. Cut off the pineapple base and crown. Set aside.
- Stand the fruit up and slice off the peel in strips. Keep the peels—you’ll use them all.
- Cut the flesh from the core. Set fruit aside for another recipe. Reserve the tough core.
- In a large pot, add peels, crown, base, and core.
- Pour in 8 cups of water. Add brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
- Blend the ginger with 1 cup of water until smooth. Add to the pot. Rinse blender with remaining 1 cup water and pour that in too.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, about 12–15 minutes.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 35–40 minutes. Halfway through, press gently on the peels to release more flavor.
- Remove from heat. Let cool completely.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard solids.
- Transfer to bottles or jars and refrigerate. Some sediment may settle at the bottom—just shake or stir before serving.
Serve it hot in the cooler months, or pour over ice with a wedge of lime in summer. If you’re pairing it with food, try it alongside a light herb-marinated fish or a fresh grain bowl for a vibrant, anti-inflammatory meal.
The Wellness Power of Pineapple Peel Tea
Why it’s more than just a drink
This pineapple peel tea recipe does more than warm you up—it supports your wellness from the inside out. I discovered its healing potential during my own journey with chronic inflammation, and it’s become a key player in my daily self-care routine.
The real hero here is bromelain, a naturally occurring enzyme in pineapple that helps reduce swelling and improve digestion. You’ll also benefit from ginger’s circulation-boosting compounds, cinnamon’s blood sugar support, and clove’s antibacterial properties. Each ingredient contributes to the tea’s unique synergy, creating a brew that feels as nourishing as it tastes.
I often recommend this tea to clients navigating joint pain or looking for gentle digestive support. It pairs perfectly with other inflammation-fighting staples like my turmeric lentil stew or a post-workout chia smoothie bowl. Simple additions like these create powerful, sustainable shifts in how your body feels every day.
How to store and sip for best results
A big batch of this tea will keep for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. I always recommend storing it in glass jars or bottles to maintain freshness. If you like it stronger, let it steep overnight in the fridge before straining, and give it a quick stir before pouring—some of the best flavor lives in that settled goodness.
To serve, heat gently on the stove or microwave until just warm. Or, enjoy it iced with a splash of lemon or a sprig of mint. I love pouring a chilled glass over ice while prepping my evening grain bowls—it’s hydrating, calming, and perfectly refreshing.
For consistent wellness benefits, I recommend sipping a cup in the morning and one in the evening. It’s a lovely bookend to your day, especially when paired with mindful meals or post-dinner stretching.
Up next, we’ll wrap up with a few frequently asked questions and a quick recap to make sure you’re fully ready to brew your own batch of this tropical wellness elixir.
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Conclusion
This pineapple peel tea recipe blends wellness with flavor in a way that feels easy, honest, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re drawn to its anti-inflammatory power, its warming spice, or the joy of using every part of a fresh fruit, this tea delivers. It’s a simple act of nourishment—one that starts with a peel and ends with a sense of connection to your body and the earth.
From my garden to your kitchen, I hope this recipe becomes part of your own wellness journey. Brew a batch, share a glass, and let it remind you that sometimes the most healing things are hiding in plain sight.
You’ll come back to this pineapple peel tea recipe again and again—for the comfort, the flavor, and the ease.
This pineapple peel tea recipe is a healing tool you can brew from scraps—how amazing is that?
FAQs About Pineapple Peel Tea
How long does pineapple peel tea last?
Once brewed and properly strained, your pineapple peel tea will last 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Store it in airtight glass containers to maintain the best flavor. I recommend using clear bottles so you can see when it starts to cloud or ferment—those are signs it’s time to make a fresh batch.
Does boiling pineapple skin destroy bromelain?
Boiling does reduce bromelain, but it doesn’t eliminate all of its benefits. Even after cooking, this pineapple peel tea recipe still delivers anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the combination of ingredients. To retain more active enzymes, some people steep the peels instead of boiling—but boiling offers a richer flavor and safer brew for storage.
How often should you drink pineapple tea?
You can safely drink this tea once or twice daily. Morning and evening work well, especially if you’re using it to support digestion or reduce inflammation. As always, listen to your body and adjust based on how you feel. For some, it becomes a go-to daily ritual alongside favorites like my golden milk or herbal tonics.
How long should you boil pineapple skin?
Bring the peels to a boil over medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes, then reduce and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes. That balance gives you depth of flavor and extracts the essence of the pineapple and spices without bitterness. Don’t forget to press the skins gently halfway through cooking to release extra juice and nutrients.