How to Segment an Orange and Other Citrus
Learn how easy it is to segment an orange in this step by step tutorial. You too can make gorgeous clean-cut wedges of delicious citrus to use in salads, desserts, and snacks.
Did you know the technical term for “cutting citrus into segments” is to “supreme” the citrus? When I found that out all I could picture was a grapefruit with a giant Diana Ross wig signing its heart out on stage in a slinky sequin dress.
No, my allergy medicine is not non-drowsy. Why do you ask?
So, supreming citrus. It’s a thing. Recently I was telling some friends via text that I was doing a post on how to segment citrus. All three of them thought I was merely talking about peeling an orange and breaking it into pieces. Like “um, are you really doing a post on how to peel an orange”?
Oh no, no, No, my friends. This is a whole new ball game of making you look like a total boss in the kitchen.
How to Segment an Orange
- First, slice the top and bottom off of your orange.
- Then, position the knife next to the pith (the white stuff inside the peel!) and make a slice to the bottom following the shape of the rind. Trim the whole fruit.
- Hold the fruit in your hand, and position the knife on one side of the section. Make a slice downward toward the center, making sure to not cut through the entire orange.
- Repeat on the other side of the section, popping the section out. Continue with the rest of the fruit.
Citrus eye porn
How to Use Segmented Citrus
- I like to slice up a bunch of these and store them in the fridge for quick additions to packed lunches, and/or snacks.
- Mix multiple kinds of citrus and add kiwi and pomegranate arils for a delicious winter salad.
- Top a vanilla or lemon tart with segmented citrus for a gorgeous and bright dessert.
- Mix some into Easy Instant Pot Yogurt with a pinch of cinnamon and drizzle of honey for a vitamin C-packed breakfast.
What Do With Leftover Citrus Peels
- Pack them in a glass jar, and cover them with plain white vinegar. After a month, strain them twice and voila, you now have a wonderful citrus-scented cleaning agent.
- Compost them. A word of warning; make sure there is lots of other organic matter in the compost mix to avoid making it too acidic.
- Cover them with water and a pinch of cinnamon and either simmer on the stove or in a slow cooker to make your house smell amazing!
- Dry them and use them for recipes that call for zest. Seriously!
- Boil them with sugar, and dip those suckers in melted chocolate for candied orange peel. Hold me they are SO good!
Do you ever segment oranged or grapefruit?
What is your favorite way to use them? Which Supreme songs do your oranges sing? Hee hee, just kidding, that’s totally not a thing.
Aren’t allergy meds the best?
One year ago: Why We are Doing Things Differently With This Kid
Four years ago: Five
Five years ago: DIY Jedi Robes
Six years ago: Up-Potting Your Seedlings
Seven years ago: The World’s Best Chocolate Cake
Making this recipe or others?
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Learn how easy it is to segment an orange in this step by step tutorial. You too can make gorgeous clean-cut wedges of delicious citrus to use in salads, desserts, and snacks.
- oranges or grapefruits
First, slice the top and bottom off of your orange.
Then, position the knife next to the pith and make a slice to the bottom following the shape of the rind. Trim the whole fruit.
Hold the fruit in your hand, and position the knife on one side of the section. Make a slice downward.
Repeat on the other side of the section, popping the section out. Continue with the rest of the fruit.
This post was originally published in February 2012. It has been updated with reader feedback, a printable recipe card was added, and new photos were included.
So *that’s* how they do it… Makes a lot more sense than what I had in mind. Thanks for sharing! I’m curious about that cleaning agent idea, though.
I do not think you have man hands, and I could see no redness or scarring.
Girrrrrl! You crack me up!!!! I so look forward to your posts in my inbox. I’m still chuckling over your (perfectly feminine btw) man hands. Teehee 🙂
Your comment made my day! Thank you!
Oh, and to everyone else, I promise my hands are quite mannish (and red) in person!
Awww you don’t have man hands!!!
Did this with some blood oranges recently to fancy up some shortcake slices for the kiddos! How long do they last in the fridge before turning to juice?
I’ve had them in my fridge successfully for a week. We eat them too quickly to test the theory any longer.
Well this was all new information to me and it’s brilliant! Thank you for showing me that there is a better way to handle my citrus fruits, which I previously avoided because they were too annoying to peel. Suddenly the world (ok, my breakfast) is full of possibilities again.
And since O has some texture issues this might help her with the delicious and health-promoting benefits of citrus.