Citrus peel
Citrus peel suppliers and sourcing guide
Citrus peel is the outer rind of citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and mandarin, collected mostly as a by-product of juice processing. It is washed, cut and dried into granules or powder, candied in sugar syrup, or extracted to give citrus peel extracts and cold-pressed oils. Brands buy dried peel for teas, seasonings and baked goods, candied peel for confectionery, and peel extracts for flavoring.
- Also known as
- Citrus spp. peel · Dried citrus peel · Citrus zest · Citrus peel extract
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of citrus peel
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Dried granules or powder
Washed, dried and milled peel in cut sizes from coarse granules to fine powder, by citrus type.
Candied peel
Peel cooked in sugar syrup and drained or dried, sold diced for baked goods and confectionery.
Peel extract
Water, alcohol or glycerin extract of citrus peel at a stated strength for flavoring.
Organic
Peel from certified organic fruit, important because conventional peel can carry fungicide residues and surface waxes.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying for dried peel, which controls caking and microbial stability.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue screen by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, with attention to postharvest fungicides used on citrus.
- Particle size
- Sieve analysis against the stated cut size.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms and pathogens.
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil content by distillation, which indicates aroma strength and freshness.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store dried peel sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; the peel oil oxidizes and loses aroma with heat, light and air. Candied peel should be kept closed at moderate temperature to prevent drying or sugar bloom. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with moisture, aroma and micro as retest points.
Lots and expiry dates
Record citrus type, origin, harvest season and whether the fruit was organic or waxed, since aroma and residue profile change with each. Rotate stock first expired, first out, because aroma fades over time.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.20 lists lemon peel and sweet and bitter orange peel among essential oils and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists citrus peels extract (Citrus spp.) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Citrus peel suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking citrus peel suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell citrus peel? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of citrus peel can brands buy?
Common forms include dried granules or powder, candied peel, peel extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for citrus peel include?
Expect moisture, pesticide residues, particle size, microbiology, volatile oil and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should citrus peel be stored?
Store dried peel sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; the peel oil oxidizes and loses aroma with heat, light and air. Candied peel should be kept closed at moderate temperature to prevent drying or sugar bloom. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with moisture, aroma and micro as retest points.
What is the regulatory status of citrus peel?
21 CFR 182.20 lists lemon peel and sweet and bitter orange peel among essential oils and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists citrus peels extract (Citrus spp.) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
Sell ingredients to brands?
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