Freeze-Dried Twist and Peels: A Flavor Revolution You Can’t Miss

Twizzlers are not just candy, they’re a part of history, created in 1845 by the Young & Smylie Confectionary Company. They have been around for more than 100 years, originally made in the licorice flavor. Later, they were acquired by The Hershey Company in 1977, and since then, this beloved treat has expanded into a variety of flavors, becoming an iconic snack across generations. And while classics like Twizzlers continue to thrive, new favorites like Freeze-Dried Milk Duds are redefining the candy experience for modern snack lovers.

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Twist, Peel & Zest: Your Flavor Revolution

The Iconic Appeal and Origins of Twizzlers

Twizzlers are not just candy, they’re a part of history, created in 1845 by the Young & Smylie Confectionary Company. They have been around for more than 100 years, originally made in the licorice flavor. Later, they were acquired by The Hershey Company in 1977, and since then, this beloved treat has expanded into a variety of flavors, becoming an iconic snack across generations.

How to make dried orange peel

First, scrub the orange clean to remove any dirt or wax.

Then, peel the outer skin carefully

making sure not to pick up too much of the white part inside, as it can add bitterness.

Once you’ve got the peel, let it dry out naturally or use a dehydrator to speed up the process.

This dried peel can be used in teas, and recipes, or even ground into a powder for an added citrus punch in your cooking!

When drying peels in the oven, they take about 20-30 minutes, but I’ve learned to leave the oven door cracked open just a bit. This helps prevent them from going from starting to dry to being burnt in a second. Even this batch was almost on the verge, so it’s important to keep your eye on them. Once they start to curl and harden, they’re done, and you’ll have all this concentrated flavor and aroma ready to use in many great ways.

Five ways to use dried orange peel

1. Marinades

You can make a delicious marinade for chicken or fish by mixing olive oil, ground orange peel, and herbs like thyme, dill, or basil. For extra flavor, you can also add salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic. By simply grinding the dried peel into fine grains, you’ll instantly have a marinade full of tons of flavor with very little effort.

2. Infusions

For a simple yet flavorful infusion, take an air-tight jar and add strips of dried orange peel to about 1/4 cup of olive oil. After just a week, the flavor will start to come through, creating a rich orange olive oil that’s perfect for salad dressings or cooking. The longer you let it infuse, the more flavourful it becomes. You can also use this method to make oils for your body. My Autumn Body Glow Oil includes cinnamon sticks, cloves, and hibiscus, but adding dried orange peel would make it smell amazing!

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3. Flavoured Salt

You can easily make flavored salt by grinding the orange peel and mixing it with dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, along with your favorite salt. This mixture not only adds extra flavor to your food but also makes a good, simple gift. Whether you keep it in your kitchen or give it to friends, this finely ground salt blend will bring a burst of citrusy goodness to any dish.

4. Tea

If you love flavored tea, adding a piece of dried orange peel to your green or black tea will give it a nice twist of flavor. You can even use dried orange peel in a relaxing bath! Just get a small cotton muslin bag, fill it with a few pieces of orange peel, a cinnamon stick, and some Epsom salts, and you’ll be in heaven. These strips of dried peel would work great for both your tea and bath, adding a fresh citrusy touch.

5. Potpourri

Orange peel not only smells amazing but also looks beautiful as part of a simple, natural decor. You can easily mix it with other Autumn spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves to create a lovely potpourri. Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil will boost the fragrance as needed. I think using strips or pieces of dried orange peel would be perfect for this, making your home smell warm and inviting.

Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel: Fun with Flavor

In 1995, Twizzlers introduced Pull n’ Peel, a fun twist on their classic candy. This version lets you pull apart each rope of candy, adding an extra layer of fun to the snacking experience. With flavors like cherry, grape, orange, and black, it’s perfect for those who love both play and flavor in their snacks. The combination of flavor and the interactive pulling makes this candy a hit for anyone looking for a fun treat.

Freeze-Drying Twizzlers: A Failed Experiment

Curious about how Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel would perform when freeze-dried, we gave it a try, but the results were quite disappointing. The texture remained exactly the same, making the whole process a bit of a waste. While freeze-drying typically enhances sweetness by removing moisture, this wasn’t the case with Twizzlers. Unfortunately, the experiment didn’t bring the fun and flavor transformation we had hoped for—unlike other irresistible freeze-dried candy that truly deliver a unique twist and exciting crunch.

The Verdict: Stick to the Original

While the freeze-drying experiment didn’t enhance Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel, we still love them for their playfulness and flavor. Whether you’re at home or on a movie night, they remain an all-time favorite snack. Freeze-dried or not, it’s best to enjoy them just as they are, with no extra steps needed.

Dried Orange or Lemon Peel Recipe

When enjoying citrus fruits like oranges or lemons, you often end up with a lot of waste unless you’re adding tons of zest to your dishes. Most of the peel ends up in the trash, which is a shame since there’s so much good flavor and aroma stored in the peel. You can freeze the peel, but one great way to preserve and harness it is by drying lemon or orange peels, which are perfectly edible and can add a lot to your cooking. While dried peels are sold in markets and natural food stores, they can be hard to find. The good news is that it’s quite easy to make at home, with or without the help of an oven—no fancy equipment needed.

If possible, use organically grown fruit with untreated, pesticide-free peels. Wash and dry them well before starting. Citrus varieties like navel oranges, Valencia, or cara cara are great for drying, as well as lemons, limes, tangerines, and grapefruits. Once the peels are thoroughly dried, you can leave them whole or grind them in a spice grinder to form a fine powder—adding a zesty touch to recipes, much like the  Unveil the Irresistible Hi-Chew Candies that deliver intense citrus notes in every chew.

The Smart Move: Saving Citrus Peels for Flavor

On the other hand, let’s explore how another favorite snack, citrus peels, can really elevate meals and drinks. One smart way I’ve used them is by saving frozen grapefruit peel slivers. These thinly sliced peels add a burst of flavor to a bubbling tomato sauce, especially when enhanced with harissa and a bit of white vermouth. A simple addition like this can truly transform your dish into something extraordinary.

The flavored sparkling water trick is probably the most obvious way to use up citrus peels, but there are other ways I’ve found myself using them now that I always have a stash on hand. First, when baking a cake, pie, or muffin, most dessert recipes benefit from very finely diced citrus zest. Even if you don’t need the coordinating citrus juice for a cake, add about 1 teaspoon of minced zest when creaming together the butter and sugar. For a pie, toss the zest with the fruit or whisk it into the wet ingredients. You could also add chopped orange zest to a coffee cake streusel or any crumb topping for an extra flavor boost.

Instead of just incorporating the zest into your cake, try slicing the peels into long, thin julienne strips and candying them for a sweet and flavorful garnish. Beyond desserts, you can also look to savory toppings like gremolata, an Italian mix of parsley, lemon zest, and garlic that can brighten many savory dishes, not just osso bucco. You can also mix citrus zest with toasted breadcrumbs and chile flakes to sprinkle over roasted vegetables, adding a bright, floral crunch. Combining zest with Parmesan or Pecorino to toss with croutons or adding some zest to a salad dressing layers the lemon flavor beautifully. Toss a whole sliver of zest into your rice cooker to perfume grains while they steam. And for a cocktail twist, though you won’t get that perfect moment of expressing the oils by twisting a fresh peel, the frozen peel will still release aromas as it thaws in the glass. This saves you from cutting into an unmarked lemon just for a garnish!

Citrus Peel Stockpiling: A Quarantine Habit

During the early days of the coronavirus quarantine, I started stockpiling citrus peels. Whether I was juicing lemons, limes, or simply enjoying oranges, I made sure to carefully peel the fruit without getting any of the bitter pith. I then stored the zest in my freezer, allowing me to always have a stash ready to use whenever I needed. This simple practice made it easy to add a burst of citrus flavor to any recipe.

Homemade Sparkling Water: Infused with Citrus Oils

One of my favorite ways to use citrus peels is by adding them to sparkling water. I would drop two or three frozen peels into a SodaStream bottle before carbonating, and they would thaw quickly, infusing the water with their fragrant oils. This simple method made my homemade seltzer taste just as good as the citrus-flavored ones from the store, with a fresh, natural flavor.

Mixing and Matching Citrus Peels for Flavor

The beauty of using frozen citrus peels is the ability to mix and match flavors. I often combine grapefruit with lime for a refreshing seltzer, and different orange varieties can add a delightful complexity. The possibilities are endless when you have a stash in your freezer, ready to create unique and flavorful drinks anytime you want.

Beyond Seltzer: Citrus Peels in Baking

Citrus peels can also enhance your baking by adding a teaspoon of finely minced zest to cakes, pies, or muffins, infusing them with a bright, fresh flavor. You can even candy thin strips of peel to use as a decorative and flavorful garnish on desserts, making them both beautiful and delicious.

Elevating Savory Dishes with Citrus Zest

Citrus zest isn’t just for sweets; it can also brighten up savory dishes. Mix lemon zest with parsley and garlic to make gremolata, an Italian topping traditionally used for osso bucco. You can also mix zest with breadcrumbs and chili flakes to add crunch to roasted vegetables or sprinkle it into salad dressings for an extra citrusy punch. For a more subtle infusion, toss a whole sliver of zest into your rice cooker to perfume the grains while they steam.

Citrus Peels in Cocktails: A Garnish with Aroma

Citrus peels make an excellent garnish for cocktails. While frozen peels don’t give you the visual of fresh twists releasing their oils, the aroma still seeps into the drink as it thaws. This simple addition adds a lovely fragrance to your cocktail without wasting a whole lemon or other citrus. It’s a great way to add a fresh touch with minimal effort!

The Ultimate Flavor Boost: Combining Twizzlers and Citrus Peels

While Twizzlers remain an iconic candy and citrus peels are a versatile kitchen staple, both offer unique ways to bring fun and flavor into our lives. Whether you’re enjoying the playful Pull n’ Peel or elevating your dishes with the bright zing of zest, these treats remind us that flavor is all around, ready to be unlocked. So next time you’re reaching for a snack or looking to enhance a meal, don’t forget the magic of combining these two for the ultimate flavor boost!

FAQS ( Freequently Asked Question )

What items would you take to the Moon?

When thinking about what to bring to the Moon, oxygen cylinders are essential since oxygen is our major source of life. We will need large amounts, so it’s better to carry plenty. First-aid kits are also crucial because accidents might happen, and we need to be prepared. Additionally, water is essential for all life to thrive, making it one of the most important things to take to the Moon.

What does take you to the Moon mean?

The phrase “take you to the Moon” refers to going the farthest a human has ever gone, which is the Moon. It’s an interesting idea that when you tell a person you’ll take them to the Moon and back, you’re essentially telling them you’re willing to be with them anywhere, even in the most distant or challenging places. It symbolizes a deep commitment and love.

What will you take to space?

Since there’s no store to go to in space, once you’re there, nothing can come on board the ship. You must take everything you need to survive into outer space. Essential items, or inputs, include food, water, and oxygen, as these are crucial for survival when you’re cut off from any external resources.

What do we need to take on the Moon?

When traveling to the Moon, essential items to bring include a spacesuit, an oxygen supply, food, water, communication devices, tools, equipment, a landing module, a power source, a medical kit, navigation instruments, and sleeping quarters. These are crucial for survival, exploration, and communication during a Moon mission.

Does the moon mean I love you?

The phrase “to the Moon and back” is a way to express immense love and affection. It symbolizes how powerful and far-reaching love can be, drawing on the significant distance between Earth and the Moon. The Moon is also seen as a symbol of life and eternity, adding deeper meaning to this expression of lasting love.