Loading…
Candied citrus peel preserved in fragrant syrup. The Chian tradition of making something extraordinary from the ordinary.
Cooking Mode
Step-by-step cooking
Opens a fullscreen cooking view and keeps your screen awake while you cook.
ingredients
🍋 PRODUCE
•
4 large thick-skinned citrus fruits — navel oranges, lemons, or a mix
•
Juice of 1 lemon
•
🍯 SYRUP
•
2 cups sugar
•
1.5 cups water
•
1 tsp vanilla extract
•
🌿 AROMATICS
•
1 cinnamon stick
•
3 cloves
•
Optional: rose water — 1 tsp at the end
Chios
Citrus Spoon Sweet
Candied citrus peel preserved in fragrant syrup.
Candied citrus peel preserved in fragrant syrup. The Chian tradition of making something extraordinary from the ordinary.
Ingredients
🍋 PRODUCE
— 4 large thick-skinned citrus fruits — navel oranges, lemons, or a mix
— Juice of 1 lemon
🍯 SYRUP
— 2 cups sugar
— 1.5 cups water
— 1 tsp vanilla extract
🌿 AROMATICS
— 1 cinnamon stick
— 3 cloves
— Optional: rose water — 1 tsp at the end
Prep
🔪 PREP FIRST
🍋 PEEL PREP
— Score citrus skin into quarters from top to bottom.
— Peel off in large sections — keep pith intact.
— Cut peel into strips approximately 1cm wide.
🍳 BLANCHING PREP
— Have a large pot of cold water ready.
— Plan to blanch the peel 3 times — this removes bitterness.
— 👉 Three blanches is not optional. Under-blanched peel stays bitter.
Method
STEP 1 — BLANCH THE PEEL
— Place peel strips in a pot.
— Cover with cold water.
— Bring to a boil, cook 5 minutes.
— Drain and refresh under cold water.
— Repeat this process 3 times total.
— After third blanch, drain well.
STEP 2 — ROLL THE PEEL
— Roll each peel strip tightly from one end.
— Secure with a toothpick through the center.
— This creates the traditional spiral shape.
STEP 3 — MAKE THE SYRUP
— In a wide pot combine:
— Sugar
— Water
— Lemon juice
— Cinnamon stick
— Cloves
— Bring to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves.
— Add peel rolls.
— Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
STEP 4 — COOK THE PRESERVES
— Simmer peel in syrup for 40–50 minutes.
— You're looking for:
— Peel translucent and glossy
— Syrup thickened — coats a spoon
— Drop test: a drop on a cold plate should wrinkle when pushed
STEP 5 — FINISH
— Add vanilla and rose water if using.
— Cook 2 more minutes.
— Remove toothpicks.
— Pour into sterilized jar.
— Store in refrigerator once cooled.
Chef's Note: Three blanches, no shortcuts. The patience in removing bitterness is what makes this a preserve worth eating.