Orange peel
Orange peel suppliers and sourcing guide
Orange peel is the rind of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) or bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), mostly collected as a by-product of juice processing. It is washed, cut and dried into granules or powder, candied, or used to make peel extracts and orange oil. Sweet orange peel goes into teas, seasonings and baked goods; bitter orange peel is used in liqueurs, bitters, marmalade and herbal blends.
- Also known as
- Citrus sinensis peel · Citrus aurantium peel · Sweet orange peel · Bitter orange peel · Dried orange peel
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of orange peel
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Sweet orange peel
Dried peel of Citrus sinensis as granules or powder for teas, seasonings and baking.
Bitter orange peel
Dried peel of Citrus aurantium, often in strips or cut, for bitters, liqueurs and herbal blends.
Candied peel
Peel cooked in sugar syrup and diced for confectionery and baked goods.
Peel extract
Extract of orange peel at a stated strength for flavoring.
Organic
Peel from certified organic oranges, without postharvest fungicide, wax or added color on the skin.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying against the specification.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue screen by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, including postharvest citrus fungicides.
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil content by distillation as a measure of aroma strength.
- Species identity
- Macroscopic and microscopic identity to confirm sweet or bitter orange as ordered.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep orange peel sealed in a cool, dry, dark place, since the peel oil oxidizes and loses aroma with heat, air and light. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with aroma, moisture and micro as retest points.
Lots and expiry dates
Record species (sweet or bitter), origin and harvest year for each lot, and ask whether the fruit skins were waxed or colored. Aroma fades with age, so rotate stock first expired, first out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.20 lists sweet orange peel 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 orange peel with the technical effects color or coloring adjunct, flavoring agent or adjuvant, and texturizer.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 74.302 permits the color additive Citrus Red No. 2 only for coloring the skins of oranges that are not intended or used for processing (or are designated as Packinghouse elimination).
Source: ecfr.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.
Orange peel suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking orange 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 orange peel? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of orange peel can brands buy?
Common forms include sweet orange peel, bitter orange peel, candied peel, peel extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for orange peel include?
Expect moisture, pesticide residues, volatile oil, species identity and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should orange peel be stored?
Keep orange peel sealed in a cool, dry, dark place, since the peel oil oxidizes and loses aroma with heat, air and light. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with aroma, moisture and micro as retest points.
What is the regulatory status of orange peel?
21 CFR 182.20 lists sweet orange peel 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 orange peel with the technical effects color or coloring adjunct, flavoring agent or adjuvant, and texturizer. 21 CFR 74.302 permits the color additive Citrus Red No. 2 only for coloring the skins of oranges that are not intended or used for processing (or are designated as Packinghouse elimination).
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
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