What do you do with the pineapple peel right after you cut out the succulent part? You most likely toss the peels in the trash can right away. It is what I did for a long time. Right after peeling the pineapple, I considered the peels as rubbish.
Not only was I planet unfriendly but I was underutilizing the value of the pineapple peel. I would willingly throw the blame on ignorance if you asked me why. I simply would say I am not aware.
When I first learnt about the pineapple peel juice in Uganda called Omunanansi. I did not rush to taste it, I instead considered it dirty.
I tasted Omunanansi juice 8 years after I learnt about it. I made it for myself at home. I liked its fermented taste most. I have not tried Omunanansi from a shop because for long it was poorly parked in white polythene bags. I considered it unhygienic and a drink for the low class. I guess I had no interest in being associated with low-class behaviours.
Over the years many companies have invested in producing Omunanansi and the packaging has improved. This possibly is what made me venture into making me some munanansi pineapple peel juice recently.
As I did some research on the internet for this write? I got to know that pineapple peel juice is not just a Ugandan thing. It is actually consumed elsewhere in the world.
let’s find out what omunanansi is next;
What is Omunanansi?
Omunanansi is fermented pineapple peel juice in Uganda. It has its origins in Uganda from the Bantu tribe the Baganda. Hence, the name Omunanansi for the pineapple peels juice in Uganda, which has been adopted by the rest of the country. It is often flavoured with ginger, cinnamon, and tea. Omunanasi production and packaging have tremendously improved over the years.
Let us now learn how to make omunanansi step by step ;
How to Make Omunanansi/Pineapple Peel Drink
Requirements
1 large ripe pineapple
1 finely crushed clove of Ginger
Water
Sugar
Method
- Wash your pineapple thoroughly over running water.
- Peel your pineapple to remove the sweet and succulent part.
- Serve your succulent pineapple any way you wish to eat it.
- Place your pineapple peels in a clean cooking pan. Add water and ginger to it.
- Place the cooking pan of medium heat and bring your pineapple peels to a boil. Let the peels boil for about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Remove your cooking pan from the fire and let cool down.
- Sieve the juice from the peelings into a juice jar
- Add 2 cups of water to the peels in your cooking pan. Using clean hands juice your peels to squeeze out the remaining juice.
- Sieve this juice out and add it to the rest of the juice in the juice jar.
- Discard the peels in an eco-friendly way
- Sweeten your Omunanansi juice by adding a bit of sugar.
- Let your juice rest overnight under room temperature
- You can serve your Omunanansi juice with ice cubes on a hot day or at room temperature.
The pineapple peel/skin has many health benefits that many people do not know about. Let’s learn about the health benefits of pineapple juice next.
ALSO READ: THE HEALTHY BENEFITS OF BEETROOT JUICE
The Healthy benefits of Pineapple peel juice / Omunanansi
- Pineapples were extensively used as medicine in the past around the world. The fruit is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
- The pineapple peel or skin has bromelain an anti-inflammatory enzyme. This is beneficial for reducing post-surgery swelling or any injury swelling.
- Omunanansi juice helps with digestion and helps to fight constipation.
- Just like the fruit, the pineapple skin is rich in Vitamin C. This is a boost for the overall immunity of the body and Helps the body to fight bacteria.
- Making Omunanansi juice from pineapple peels is way of reusing food waste which is a better way to reduce and reuse food waste efficiently.
- Anti-inflammatory characteristics in the pineapple peel are good for women seeking to conceive and preventing clotting in blood.
Tips on how to select a good pineapple
Here are a few tips to consider when selecting your pineapple from the market
Check its color
Fresh and vibrant leaves are a sign of freshness. The skin of your pineapple should have a yellowish-green hue and appearance. Pineapples usually turn from green to yellow as they ripen. Some pineapples, however, do not change colour when ripe. For this type other means of checking ripeness should be considered.
