Oranges, lemons, mandarins and other citrus fruits are a familiar part of Mediterranean life. We enjoy their juice, their refreshing flavour and their nutritional value, but what happens to the peel, pulp and other parts that are often left behind?

Through projects such as EXCEL4MED, the answer is increasingly clear: what we sometimes call “waste” can actually become a valuable resource.

Candied Citrus Peel

One of the simplest ways of giving citrus peel a second life is turning it into a sweet snack.
Orange, lemon or mandarin peel can be sliced into thin strips, gently boiled to soften it and then cooked with sugar. Once dried, the pieces become chewy, fragrant treats. For an extra indulgent version, they can be partially dipped in dark chocolate.

Dried Citrus Slices

Thinly sliced oranges, lemons or mandarins can be slowly dried in an oven or food dehydrator.
The result is a crisp, intensely flavoured snack that can be eaten on its own or combined with nuts, seeds and dried fruit to create a Mediterranean-style trail mix.

Orange-Peel Granola

Citrus flavour can also transform something as familiar as granola. Finely grated orange zest can be mixed with oats, nuts, seeds and a little honey before baking. Dried pieces of orange peel can also be incorporated into the final mix. Served with yoghurt or fresh fruit, it becomes a simple breakfast.

This article is a part series of the EXCEL4MED project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, which aims to boost innovation in the agri-food sector across Malta, Greece, and France. With its website now fully available in French, Italian, Spanish, and English, more stakeholders, including researchers, producers, policymakers, and consumers, can engage with the project in the language they feel most comfortable with. Read more on: https://excel4med.eu/.

Koperattivi Malta is proud to support this initiative in collaboration with
@EXCEL4MED @MaltaFoodAgency @MaltaEnterprise @TheMaltaChamber @UniversityofMalta @SmartAgroHub