Pineapple tea creates deliciousness from peels, ends, and trimmings that would otherwise have been discarded. It combines warming spices with the peels and can be made as-is or with additional sweeteners—white, light cane sugar, and light brown sugar work well to bring sweetness without removing the essence of the fruit. If your pineapple is super sweet, you can cut back on the sugar or substitute it with your favorite alternative sweetener. The result is a drink that’s spiced and refreshing.
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties that have been utilized for millennia in traditional medicine. Bromelain is currently used for a variety of purposes; when consumed, it is thought to minimize nasal and throat inflammation and swelling. Bromelain is currently used for a variety of purposes; when consumed, it is thought to minimize nasal and throat inflammation and swelling.
Drinking pineapple tea is an excellent way to eliminate excess water in your body, along with various other impressive health benefits.
What is Pineapple Tea?
Pineapple tea is a floral beverage made with pineapple fruit, seeds, skin or leaves, and can even be made by blending pineapple juice into a regular tea preparation. This variation of how it is made can have a slight effect on the health benefits of this tea, although many of the key active ingredients in this tea are present, regardless of preparation method. Many people also prefer to drink pineapple tea, rather than buying pineapple juice from the store, which is often processed or contains too many sugars. Pineapple tea retains the flavor of pineapples, in most preparations. While it is most popular in tropical regions where pineapples grow, the availability of this fruit and the ease of production of the tea has made it sought after in non-tropical regions as well.[rx]
Pineapple Tea
The most impressive benefits of pineapple tea include its effects on the following:
May aid in weight loss
It May help in improving the mood
May aid in relieving anxiety
It May help in boosting the immune system
It May Help in improving metabolism.
It May help in reducing inflammation
It May help in preventing premature aging
May aid in lowering the risk of chronic diseases
Let us discuss them in detail below:
Bromelain is the most well-known active ingredient in pineapple, and it has been directly connected to reducing inflammation, which is why this tea is often recommended for people with arthritis. This effect is why so many people use pineapple tea to eliminate water retention, as it can induce urination and minimize the symptoms of edema. This possibly anti-inflammatory effect also makes it good for people who suffer from chronic headaches or irritable bowel syndrome. With possibly high levels of vitamin C in this tea, along with various other antioxidants, pineapple tea may prevent premature aging and lower your risk of chronic disease and neurodegenerative diseases.[rx][rx]
There are those who recommend this tea for weight loss, due to its nutrient density, but lack of calories (unless you add fresh-squeezed juice, which can increase calorie count). Additionally, bromelain is linked to stimulating the metabolism, which can help many aspects of health, from hormonal levels to energy production.[rx]
Health Benefits of Pineapple
This tropical fruit is best known for its beneficial effects on digestive health. Bromelain, a naturally occurring enzyme in pineapple, helps your body break down protein. This compound also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and anti-cancer properties, states a December 2012 review in Biotechnology Research International.
As the researchers note, bromelain is widely used in the treatment of various diseases and may enhance the absorption of antibiotics and other drugs. It appears to be particularly effective in the management of heart disease, osteoarthritis and disorders affecting the respiratory system.
This enzyme is found in the pineapple stem or fruit, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Therefore, if you’re looking for a pineapple tea recipe, choose one that calls for these parts of the fruit.
Bromelain isn’t the only beneficial nutrient in pineapple, though. You’ll also get the following micro- and macronutrients from each 1-cup serving, as reported by the USDA:
83 calories
0.9 g protein
21.6 g carbs
16.3 g sugar
2.3 g fiber
88 percent of the DV (daily value) of vitamin C
4 percent of the DV of potassium
5 percent of the DV of magnesium
3 percent of the DV of iron
20 percent of the DV of copper
67 percent of the DV of manganese
As you see, pineapple is rich in sugar. The tea prepared from this fruit may contain less sugar or none at all, depending on the brand. Bottled varieties are the highest in carbs, but you can make pineapple tea at home to have better control over the ingredients used.
Pineapple Tea for Weight Loss
The nutritional value of pineapple tea depends on its composition. For example, Johnny Fleeman’s Fruit Tea Pineapple Tea provides 110 calories and 30 grams of sugar per serving (8 ounces), according to the USDA. Therefore, it’s just as high in sugar as regular soda, so it’s unlikely to help you lose weight.
Consider using a homemade pineapple tea recipe to cut calories and carbs. Bring water to a boil and add pineapple tea bags or pineapple chunks. Steep for 10 minutes or so, let it cool and add stevia, cinnamon or ginger if desired. Enjoy it hot or cold.
Some studies suggest that vitamin C, one of the key nutrients in pineapple, may facilitate weight loss. According to a May 2014 review published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, this antioxidant may increase fat breakdown, inhibit glucose metabolism and improve glycemic control. It also appears to have beneficial effects on leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite.
A more recent review featured in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome in November 2018 indicates that vitamin C may improve cardiometabolic risk factors and aid in weight management. Subjects who took vitamin C had lower LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol compared to the placebo group. Waist circumference decreased in those who took this supplement and engaged in regular exercise.
Unfortunately, boiling may destroy some of the vitamin C in pineapple and cancel out its benefits, state the experts at Tufts University. Potatoes, for instance, lose about 10 percent of their vitamin C content when boiled for just 10 minutes. Canned fruits may also contain less of this nutrient than their fresh counterparts.
Pineapple Tea and Water Retention
This beverage may help you lose water weight — but so does water. Fluid retention, or edema, can have a multitude of causes, from excessive sodium intake to certain disorders or medications. In some cases, it could be a sign of congestive heart failure, kidney disease or liver damage.
So what’s pineapple tea good for? First of all, it keeps you hydrated, which may increase urine output and help you flush out excess water. Generally, it’s recommended to drink plenty of water and cut back on coffee, alcohol and teas containing caffeine to reduce fluid retention, according to Victoria, Australia’s Department of Health & Human Services. Pineapple tea is caffeine-free, so it won’t dehydrate you as some teas do.
Second, this refreshing drink is rich in bromelain, which acts as a natural anti-edematous agent. Simply put, it may reduce edema, according to a September 2016 review in Biomedical Reports. However, there is little research to support these findings.
Bromelain has plenty of other benefits, though. Current evidence suggests that it may help decrease inflammation, inhibit tumor growth and destroy disease-causing bacteria, as reported in the above review. Consume pineapple tea as part of a balanced diet or better yet, eat the whole fruit to get more fiber and vitamin C.
PINEAPPLE SKIN TEA (ANTI-INFLAMMATORY TEA)
This pineapple skin tea combines the power of pineapple peel, turmeric, ginger, honey, and more for a sweet, flavorful anti-inflammatory tea!
After years as a food blogger, I’m always on the hunt for ways to reduce my food waste. This pineapple skin tea is something I stumbled upon recently, and I’m so sorry that it’s taken me this long to discover – all that pineapple peel I could have transformed into delicious, flavorful anti-inflammatory tea (aka pineapple tea)!
This pineapple skin tea is inspired by a popular traditional Jamaican similar drink combining pineapple peel with ginger, orange/lemon juice, and several other additions. Luckily, it’s now in my life, I added a couple of extra ingredients, and I think you very well may love it as much as I do.
I’m no stranger to combining turmeric and ginger for their excellent health and anti-inflammatory benefits (like these Ginger Turmeric Energy Shots, One-Pot Turmeric, Ginger &Pumpkin Soup, and Simple Golden Spice (Golden Milk Powder). However, the addition of pineapple peel adds extra flavor and anti-inflammatory benefits to the tea!
PINEAPPLE SKIN BENEFITS
Pineapple contains (including the pineapple peel and core) a powerful enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme with anti-inflammatory benefits and has been used medicinally for centuries.
Currently, bromelain is used for several purposes – when ingested, it is likely to reduce inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages and throat. However, it also helps prevent blood clotting and encourages the formation of new red blood cells, which may be beneficial for treating cardiovascular diseases.
There have also been several studies to show that bromelain has the potential to help with several inflammation-related diseases. These include osteoarthritis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, colitis, and even cancer.
It is also rich in immune-boosting vitamin C and may also help with digestion issues and fighting intestinal parasites.
Top Tip: It’s important to note that bromelain can interact with several medications, including anticoagulants and antibiotics. If you’re unsure, then it’s always best to consult a medical doctor before trying this pineapple tea.
How to Make Pineapple Tea?
If you wish to make this tea at home, the most important thing is to decide your method of brewing. If you want to lose weight with pineapple tea, it is best to avoid using the juice of the fruit, and instead, utilize the fruit with skin and leaves. Here’s the step-by-step recipe to make pineapple tea at home.
Method #1 — Steeping Pineapple Rinds Tea
Ingredients
1 whole pineapple rinds
8 cups of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar (optional if you like sweet)
~1 tsp of ginger peels (or as much as you like)
1 tsp. of turmeric powder (fresh turmeric is better)
1/2 lemon, sliced
I added all ingredients into a pot and brought it to a rolling boil. Once boiled, I removed the pot from the heat and let the tea cool down to room temperature before removing the rinds and spices. I stored the tea in the fridge and enjoyed it over ice.
Method #2 — Pineapple Rinds Fermented Tea
Method #2 is based on tepache, a fermented Mexican drink made from pineapple and piloncillo aka Mexican brown sugar. Piloncillo is sugar cane juice syrup that is shaped into a cone and is often used in Mexican cuisine.
The original Tepache recipe calls for piloncillo, but since I don’t have it, I decided to substitute it with brown sugar.
Ingredients
1 whole pineapple rinds
2 1/2 cups of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
I dissolved the sugar in water prior to adding the rinds and spices and then added it along with all the other ingredients to a 32 oz mason jar. I covered the mason jar with two paper towels and held it in place with the jar lid ring. I let the tea ferment on the counter at room temperature in a dark place for 2 days.
Pineapple Tea Recipe
Pineapple tea is a fruity, refreshing beverage that is rich in anti-oxidants. The waste from pineapple production has some exciting potential. Pineapple peels and cores hold a great deal of flavor. You can make a hot version of the tea during winters and the iced version of the same for the summer. However, as of now, let’s take a look at the detailed process of making pineapple tea from scratch at home.
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pineapple Tea
Appliance: Juicer
Prep Time: 5minutes
Cook Time: 15minutes
Total Time: 20minutes
Servings: 12servings
Ingredients
1pineapple peel, crown, scraps
1knobginger
2cinnamon sticks
2litwater
4-5teabags
Instructions
To make slimming pineapple tea, you can cut and simmer an entire ripe pineapple along with its skin in 2 liters of water, and add 2 cinnamon sticks for flavor. You can also blend it once boiled and add it to water and heat. If you don’t want too strong a flavor of the cinnamon in your tea, just put one stick.
Now, add 4-5 tea bags to the boiling water and allow them to steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar to it and let it simmer. In case, you use pineapple juice instead of actual pineapple pieces, you can add the juice in this stage.
Switch off the gas stove and cover the pineapple tea for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tea flavor to completely seep in. Serve it, if you wish to have it hot. If you prefer to have it cold, refrigerate it for a while.
You can also make pineapple tea by adding pineapple juice to black tea.
How do you peel a pineapple? – How to Peel and Cut a Pineapple
Firstly, using a sharp chef’s knife, cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
Then, cut the peel off the fruit by standing it upright and following the curvature of the fruit.
Thirdly, with a paring knife, remove any residual hard brown patches, or “eyes.”
Finally, For Wedges: Quarter the peeled pineapple lengthwise.
Top Tips for Pineapple Peel Tea
Before using the pineapple peel, make sure to completely wash it
Store pineapple scraps in a freezer bag until you’re ready to brew a batch of this pineapple tea.
To each cup of tea, add a pinch of black pepper. This is required to ensure that the turmeric nutrients are fully absorbed by our bodies.
Pineapple peel Tea Recipe – How to Make Pineapple Tea?
If you want to make this tea at home, the first step is to choose your brewing technique.
To lose weight with pineapple peel tea, avoid consuming the juice and instead use the whole fruit, including the skin and leaves.
Here’s how to prepare pineapple peel tea at home, step by step.
You will need:
Ingredients
Lemon
Ginger
Pineapple skin
Honey or Maple syrup
Cinnamon sticks
Method
To begin, you’ll need pineapple skin. Here’s a fantastic way to put the pineapple to good use.
Once you have a good amount of skin, simply toss the pineapple in a large pot and place the skins in the freezer until you have enough.
After that, bring the water to a boil, approximately one inch above the pineapple, for 5 to 10 minutes. Add 2 cinnamon sticks for flavor.
You can also blend it after it has boiled and then add it to water to heat it up. If you don’t want a strong cinnamon flavor in your tea, use only one stick.
Allow the pineapple peels to simmer for 45 minutes to an hour on medium to low heat.
Remove the pineapple skins from the heat and drain the liquid through a strainer.
Now, Prepare the Remaining Ingredients
Wash and peel the lemon and ginger, then grate them with a garlic grating dish or a fine grater.
You can slice them and delicately ‘bruise’ them with the hilt of a knife, but I feel that grating them infuses the flavors much better
Brew The Pineapple Tea
In a big pot with water, combine all of the ingredients (except the honey) and heat over medium heat.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and leave to simmer for an hour – the longer it cooks, the more flavorful it becomes.
Finally, you can add a little sweetener now, or just before serving (I used honey), or leave it out totally.
THE INGREDIENTS
Pineapple peel: use the core too for even more bromelain
Orange & lemon: make sure to use fresh orange and lemon juice. I used a blood orange since I had one in my house. Feel free to use regular orange instead. You can optionally add that peel to the tea too, but I usually use it for this Non-Toxic Natural All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner.
Aromatics: ginger and turmeric. I prefer to use fresh rather than powdered for this pineapple tea, so you don’t have the ground spice’s sediment in the liquid.
Herbs & spices: cinnamon sticks, cayenne pepper (optional) or black pepper (to help our bodies absorb the curcumin in turmeric), and rosemary. You can experiment with other herbs that pair well with pineapple, too – mint, lemon basil, basil, sage, etc.
Sweetener: I used honey. For a vegan option, you could use maple syrup.
All of these ingredients were carefully chosen for their flavor as well as their health benefits. For example, cinnamon has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties while boosting gut health, digestive health, and lowering blood pressure and sugar levels. Meanwhile, cayenne pepper is metabolism-boosting, can lower blood pressure, aids digestive health, has anti-cancer properties, and may even relieve pain. So, all of the ingredients boost the pineapple tea benefits!
HOW TO MAKE PINEAPPLE SKIN TEA
STEP 1: CLEAN THE PINEAPPLE
It’s essential to clean the pineapple skin thoroughly. You can do this by scrubbing the pineapple thoroughly with a vegetable brush. I like to do a vinegar soak – which helps to remove bacteria and pesticides from the skin.
Fill a large pot with enough water to submerge the pineapple body and add 1-2 Tbsp of vinegar – this shouldn’t affect the pineapple’s flavor. Allow it to soak for between 20-30 minutes, then rinse well with clean water.
STEP 2: REMOVE THE PEEL
Pat the rinsed pineapple dry and then remove the peel with a sharp paring knife. You can also use the pineapple core (I didn’t this time as I was using whole slices for a recipe, for presentation).
The pineapple flesh can be eaten as a snack or stored in the fridge/freezer to make smoothies.
STEP 3: PREPARE THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS
Prepare the ginger and turmeric roots by washing and peeling them and then grating them using a garlic grating dish or a fine grater.
You can slice them and slightly ‘bruise’ them by bashing with the knife handle’s hilt, but I find that the flavors infuse much better when grated.
Do this step with gloves on as the turmeric WILL stain your skin. Then, juice the lemon and oranges – you can do this with an electric or manual juicer.
STEP 4: BREW THE PINEAPPLE TEA
Add all of the ingredients (except the honey) into a large pot with water and heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then allow to simmer for an hour – the longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
STEP 5: SIEVE AND DECANT THE PINEAPPLE SKIN TEA
Allow the tea to cool down slightly before you sieve it and transfer it to bottles.
Optionally, forego the sieve and remove the large pieces of pineapple skin and the rosemary. However, you will then have some remaining pulp in the drink. Clear tea and Tea with a bit of pulp
You can add a little sweetener now (I used honey), or just before serving it, or omit this entirely.
The pineapple tea is then ready to drink immediately or store for later.
HOW TO SERVE
You can enjoy the anti-inflammatory warm or cold. It can be enjoyed alone or added to other drinks, including lemonade and cocktails in place of pineapple juice.
HOW TO STORE
Fridge: Store the leftover pineapple skin tea in airtight glass containers (so they don’t stain) in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Freeze: The pineapple tea can also be frozen into ice cubes to add to drinks or thaw and consume.
HOW TO USE THE LEFTOVER PULP?
After removing the rosemary and cinnamon sticks from the anti-inflammatory tea, there’s no need to discard the leftover pulp. This can still be used in several ways:
To create a pineapple juice: While lots of the flavor will be in the brewed tea, you can add all of the leftover pulp to a blender with some water and then sieve for a juice. As you haven’t ‘squeezed’ the peel before, there should still be plenty of flavors left to work with.
Blended into pulp: Blend the pineapple peel and leftover ginger and turmeric sediment into a pulpy mush. This can be frozen into ice cubes and then used in several ways.
To add to smoothies.
Add to marinades and stocks.
To make a single portion of hot tea.
Can I add Alcohol to my Pineapple Sweet Tea?
The ultimate porch drink, you could easily make this pineapple sweet tea into a cocktail with the addition of rum! Spice rum would be a delicious addition too. Since I’m expecting, I’ve kept it “mocktail style” to enjoy, but the option to make a “boozy pineapple sweet tea” is certainly there!
Can I use homemade pineapple juice?
Of course! You can certainly make your own pineapple juice. Store-bought pineapple juice works just fine too, especially if you’re in a rush!
To make homemade pineapple juice, add 3 cups of cubed pineapple and 1/2 cup of water to a blender. Blend until smooth and then strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Ta-da, homemade pineapple juice! You can add sugar to your pineapple juice (and oftentimes you’ll see it with added sugar in stores), but it’s also plenty sweet enough on its own.
As you see below, this recipe is made with simple syrup (super easy to make, you just boil equal parts water and sugar) along with black tea bags and fresh pineapple juice. It truly could not be easier! Serve over ice with a pineapple and mint garnish for the ultimate summer refresher!
To garnish this drink, we made pineapple strips (long, skinny cuts of pineapple) but you could easily make traditional wedge shapes from fresh pineapple as well. We added in some fresh mint from the garden and ta-da!
Pineapple Tea Side Effects
There aren’t many side effects to drinking pineapple tea, but you should be aware of the effects it can have on your allergies, as well as potential interactions with medications. Too much bromelain can cause gastrointestinal distress, and pregnant or nursing women should speak with a doctor before consuming this tea. Allergic reactions to this tea are rare, but any swelling or difficulty breathing should be a sign to discontinue use immediately.[rx]
A CUP OF WELL-BEING: Exotic sweet pineapple flavor and the tingle of spicy ginger is infused into fresh, green tea to make a truly intriguing cup. This healthy, soothing tea provides a paradisiacal escape to far away places.
DAILY GREEN TEA: This highly valued China green tea represents all that and more. Like all tea, green tea is a varietal of the Camellia sinensis bush. But unlike black and oolong teas, it is not oxidized and undergoes less processing so it retains more of its beneficial properties. Tea offers a world of health-inducing benefits, but green tea is most widely known for its polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. It is also blissfully calorie-free.
PREMIUM INGREDIENTS: The Republic of Tea uses all-natural flavors without any chemical additives or preservatives to create delicious premium tea and herbal blends. This high-quality tea contains China green tea, ginger and natural pineapple and ginger flavor.
STEEPING INSTRUCTIONS: Steeping green tea is easy. Simply heat fresh, filtered water to just short of boiling. Then pour 6 oz of water over tea and steep for 1-3 minutes. For iced tea, simply double the amount of tea bags and add a generous amount of ice.
GLUTEN FREE: This tea is gluten free, sugar free and carb free, so you can sip away without worry.
