Dried Citrus Peel & Clove Tea
A warm, aromatic herbal tea infused with homemade dried citrus peels and whole cloves. The bright citrus mingles with the warm spice for a naturally sweet, comforting drink that feels both Mediterranean and cozy. Perfect for afternoons or after dinner.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- —
- Wait
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Makes
- 2 cups tea (makes about 4–6 cups of steeped tea per batch)
Steps
Before you start
- Have dried orange and lemon peels ready (store homemade peels in an airtight jar for up to 6 months)
- Use fresh, filtered water if possible for the clearest flavor
- Have your teapot or cups ready to go
Boil the waterOven 200°F / 95°C
- Fill a kettle with 16 fl oz (480 ml) of filtered water.
- Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, about 3–5 minutes.
- The water should be at least 200°F (93°C) to properly steep the peels.
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Ready when: Water is vigorously boiling
Tip: Filtered water makes a cleaner-tasting tea; tap water works if that's what you have.
Assemble the tea blend
- While the water heats, place the broken dried orange peel (0.5 oz / 14 g), dried lemon peel (0.25 oz / 7 g), and whole cloves (6 cloves) into a fine-mesh tea strainer or tea infuser.
- If using a teapot, add them directly to the pot and you'll strain later.
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Tip: Break the peels into smaller pieces so they release their oils quickly during steeping.
Pour and steep
- Once the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully pour it over the tea blend in your teapot, mug, or infuser.
- Let it steep undisturbed for 8–10 minutes.
- The longer you steep, the more intense the citrus and clove flavors become.
- Aim for 8 minutes for a light, bright cup or the full 10 for deeper flavor.
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Ready when: Tea is a warm golden-amber color and smells fragrant
Tip: Don't stir or rush the steeping; letting it sit quietly brings out the best flavor.
Strain and sweeten
- After steeping, pour the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into serving cups, or use tongs to gently lift out the infuser.
- If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon (21 ml) of honey per serving, adjusting to your taste.
- Honey complements the citrus and spice beautifully.
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Ready when: Tea is clear and warm, ready to drink
Tip: Let the tea cool slightly before adding honey if you're concerned about heat damaging its enzymes.
Good to know
Tips
- To make your own dried citrus peels, wash organic citrus fruit, remove the peel in thick strips with a vegetable peeler, and dry them on a baking sheet at 200°F (93°C) for 1–2 hours, or lay them on a paper towel in a warm, dry spot for 2–3 days.
- For a cold version, let the steeped tea cool to room temperature, strain it, chill it in the fridge, and serve over ice with a slice of fresh citrus.
- This tea pairs beautifully with biscotti, shortbread, or almond cookies—the spice and citrus complement buttery sweets.
- If you find 6 cloves too strong, start with 3 or 4 and adjust next time; clove flavor varies with freshness and personal preference.
Make ahead
You can prepare the dry tea blend (orange peel, lemon peel, and cloves) in advance and store it in an airtight glass jar at room temperature for up to 6 months. Just heat water fresh when you're ready to brew.
Storage & reheating
This tea is best served fresh. Leftover steeped tea can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours and reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave. The dried peel and clove blend itself keeps at room temperature in an airtight jar for 6 months; store away from light and heat.
Substitutions
- honey, raw or regular → maple syrup or agave nectar. Use the same amount. Maple syrup adds a woodsy note; agave is more neutral.
- whole cloves → ground cinnamon (¼ teaspoon) or a cinnamon stick. Cinnamon is milder and sweeter than cloves; a stick is less intense than ground.
- dried orange peel, homemade or store-bought → dried grapefruit peel or dried tangerine peel. Grapefruit is bitter-bright; tangerine is sweeter and more delicate.
- dried lemon peel, homemade or store-bought → dried lime peel or dried bergamot peel. Lime adds a tropical twist; bergamot is floral and sophisticated.
