đź“‹ Ingredients
- Peels and Core: From 1 whole ripe pineapple
- Cloves: 1 teaspoon (about 10–12 whole cloves)
- Cinnamon: 1–2 whole cinnamon sticks
- Water: 6–8 cups (enough to completely submerge the peels)
- Optional Boosters: 1 inch of fresh ginger (sliced) or a splash of lime juice
- Optional Sweetener: Honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar to taste
👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Thoroughly Wash the Pineapple
Because you are brewing the outer skin, cleaning it is the most important step:
- Scrub the outside of the uncut pineapple thoroughly with a clean vegetable brush under running water.
- Optional but recommended: Soak the whole pineapple (or just the chopped peels) in a bowl of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda or apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes to remove any residue or debris, then rinse.
2. Prep the Scraps
- Slice off the top leafy crown and the bottom base and discard them.
- Cut the remaining skin off the pineapple in thick strips.
- Chop the tough central core into chunks (save the sweet inner flesh to eat fresh!).
3. Simmer the Ingredients
- Place the pineapple peels, core chunks, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks into a large pot.
- Pour in the water until everything is fully covered.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Your kitchen will begin to smell incredibly aromatic!
4. Strain and Serve
- Turn off the heat and let the tea steep and cool slightly for about 15 minutes.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer or colander over a heat-safe pitcher or bowl and strain out the liquid, discarding the solid pieces.
- Stir in your preferred sweetener while the tea is still warm, if desired.
đź’ˇ How to Enjoy & Store
- Hot: Sip it warm like a comforting herbal tea, which is excellent for soothing a sore throat or settling an upset stomach.
- Cold: Pour it into a bottle or pitcher (just like in refrigerate it until cold, and serve it over ice as a refreshing, hydrating summer beverage.
- Storage: Keep it stored in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.