Pineapple Rind Tea

I have a friend who keeps me up to date on what is trending, and she recently told me about Pineapple Rind Tea (thanks Emily!) There are plenty of videos and sites out there dedicated to this recipe, and you will see it called Pineapple Skin or Pineapple Peel tea as well. I kind of prefer the word rind, but they all refer to same thing.

After being gifted with a pineapple (thanks again Emily!), I decided to use the rind to make this recipe, and I was very pleased. You will see a lot of health claims being made for this tea, and they may all be true, but for me the draw was simply taste. I don't have a big pineapple-eating family (in fact, my youngest has an allergic reaction to it), so it is not often that I have pineapple around. Yet, after making this recipe, I cannot wait until I have more rind to make this tea again!

First off, if you see a recipe that recommends adding honey to sweeten the tea, I would taste it first. Maybe I had an exceptionally sweet pineapple rind to work with, but in my case, definitely no honey needed! In fact, the reason I liked this tea so much is because it was so wonderfully sweet without the addition of any extra sweetener.

Here is what I did. After cutting up the pineapple rind, putting it into my pot, and covering it with water. I added 1 Tbsp of turmeric powder, 1 Tbsp ginger powder, and 2 cinnamon sticks. I brought the whole thing to a boil, then simmered it for about 30 minutes. Then I strained the tea and enjoyed.

I enjoyed it so much, that I made a second batch with the same rinds. The pineapple taste and the sweetness were a bit diminished in the second batch, but I was actually surprised by how much the flavor remained the same.

So, what about the health benefits? Pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which is fancy talk for an enzyme that breaks down protein. Bromelain is useful as a digestive enzyme to break down protein when taken with a protein-containing meal, but bromelain can also act as a systemic antiinflammatory when taken away from meals. Bromelain is thought to influence inflammation by modulating multiple inflammatory mediators (Bottega, 2021). Evidence suggests a variety of health conditions where bromelain has applications, including cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, autoimmunity, cancer, intestinal pathogens, surgery, sports injuries, and acute inflammation (Pavan, 2012).

There are a variety of supplements marketed as antiinflammatories based on the understanding that bromelain acts as an antiinflammatory when taken away from meals. I would expect that pineapple rind tea taken near a meal could be helpful in digesting protein that has been consumed in that meal. Whereas, if the tea is consumed away from meals, it may support reduction of systemic inflammation by modulating the body's inflammation response.

Another thing I love about this recipe is that it can be used as an alternative to golden milk, which is a milk-based tea containing turmeric, ginger, as well as other herbs. Personally, I am not always in the mood for a thick, milky drink. All in all, I think this is a tasty beverage that provides gentle long-term health benefits. If you make the tea with turmeric and ginger, you get the synergy of the bromelain, turmeric, and ginger, all with their own antiinflammatory activity. I love that it doesn't need any sweetener, and that the recipe provides another use for those pineapple rinds before they go into the compost or trash.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Rind (skin, peel) from 1 pineapple

• Turmeric powder, 1 Tbsp (fresh turmeric root works too)

• Ginger powder, 1 Tbsp (fresh ginger root works too)

• Cinnamon stick, 1-2

• Black peppercorns or powder (1/4 tsp), optional

Directions:

1. Cut rind off pineapple, and cut into pieces that fit into your pot

2. Cover rinds with water

3. Add spices

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes

5. Strain and drink

6. Extra tea can be refrigerated for 1-2 days for later use

References:

Bottega R, Persico I, De Seta F, Romano F, Di Lorenzo G. Anti-inflammatory properties of a proprietary bromelain extract (BromeyalTM) after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology. 2021;35. doi:10.1177/20587384211034686

Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, Kumar A. Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012;2012:976203. doi: 10.1155/2012/976203. Epub 2012 Dec 10. PMID: 23304525; PMCID: PMC3529416.

About me:

My name is Jillian Bar-av and I am a Registered Herbalist and Licensed Nutritionist who works with busy women to help them have the energy to do what they love. I specialize in conditions that affect the reproductive system and urinary tract, such as PCOS and Interstitial Cystitis. I believe that it takes healthy people to create a healthy planet, and I want to make a difference for both.

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