This homemade pineapple peel tea recipe turns pineapple peels and the core into a caffeine-free herbal tea with ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. This no-waste recipe makes a delicious hot or iced tea.
For more easy drinks like this pineapple skin tea, try pineapple hibiscus sun tea, hot or cold brew hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica), or elderberry hibiscus tea.
A Quick Look: Homemade Pineapple Tea Recipe
- 📝 Recipe Name: Homemade Pineapple Peel Tea Recipe (Hot or Iced)
- 🕒 Total Time: 1 hour
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🎯 Key Ingredients: Pineapple peels and core, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric
- 🌱 Dietary Info: Vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, dairy-free, caffeine-free
- ✨ Best For: Reducing food waste, cozy evenings, make-ahead drinks, and everyday hydration
- 💕 Why You'll Love It: This simple no-waste pineapple peel tea turns scraps into a naturally sweet tea that’s delicious hot or as an iced pineapple tea.
Jump to:
There’s something calming about tossing pineapple peels, ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric into a pot and letting it all simmer. Before long, the whole kitchen smells tropical with a touch of spice.
I love when food gets fully used, nothing wasted. Beet greens in juice, broccoli stems in stir-fry, veggie scraps in broth — it all adds up.
This pineapple peel tea is a simple no-waste recipe that feels grounding without being complicated. It uses a part of the fruit most of us normally toss, and turns it into a cozy, caffeine-free drink you can sip hot or pour over ice.
Looking for more refreshing drink ideas? Try homemade aguas frescas, green tea lemonade, fresh blueberry lemonade, or check out these easy drink recipes for more ideas.
What is Pineapple Tea?
Pineapple tea is a simple no-waste drink made from the parts of the pineapple most people usually toss. When made with the peel, it’s also called pineapple peel tea, pineapple skin tea, or pineapple rind tea.
It has a lightly sweet, tropical flavor and can be served hot like tea or chilled over ice. Like cuachalalate tea, a tea made from tree bark, it’s a great example of how simple ingredients can become something useful and delicious.
Versions of pineapple skin tea are enjoyed in many cultures, especially in warm-weather places where pineapple is commonly used.
Why This Recipe Works
- Full flavor, no waste. Simmering the pineapple peels and core pulls out the natural sweetness and tropical flavor, so more of the fruit gets used.
- Simple and soothing. Ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric add warmth.
- Delicious hot or iced. Sip it warm on a cozy evening or chill it for a refreshing pineapple iced tea.
- Easy to customize. Add hibiscus, orange peel, cloves, star anise, lemon, lime, or a little maple syrup depending on the season and your taste.
If you have leftover fresh pineapple, use it in pineapple aguas frescas, juice it in this sweet potato juice recipe, or serve it with creamy vegan fruit dip.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy pineapple rind tea recipe:
- Pineapple peels and core: Use the peel and core from one fresh pineapple. Scrub the outside well before cutting.
- Cinnamon stick: or use ground cinnamon
- Turmeric: or a small knob of fresh turmeric
- Fresh ginger: Ground ginger can work in a pinch, but fresh ginger gives the best flavor.
- Sweetener (optional): Maple syrup, coconut sugar, or, if not vegan, honey
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- Spice it up: Try star anise, cloves, orange peel, or a pinch of black pepper for deeper warmth. If you love warming, spiced drinks as much as I do, also try my pumpkin chai tea latte and horchata de arroz (Mexican rice milk).
- For color/tartness: Add a few hibiscus petals. If you enjoy hibiscus drinks, try my pineapple hibiscus sun tea and hibiscus lemonade with strawberries.
- Pineapple ginger tea: For a stronger ginger flavor, add extra fresh ginger and simmer it with the pineapple peels and core. This gives the tea a warmer, spicier flavor that’s especially good served hot.
- Splash of milk: Add a splash of oat milk (or any milk) and a drizzle of maple syrup. So good!
- Citrus: Any fresh citrus you have on hand to add at the end.
Tested Tips
- Wash well: Scrub the outside of the pineapple under running water with a clean produce brush before cutting. I sometimes soak mine in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 10–15 minutes, then rinse really well before using.
- Simmer gently: Keep the heat low after boiling. A gentle simmer pulls out flavor without making the tea taste harsh.
- Taste as you go: Pineapples vary in sweetness, so taste the tea first and sweeten only if needed.
- Strain: Use a fine-mesh strainer for the smoothest tea.
- Turmeric tip: If using turmeric, add a tiny pinch of black pepper.
How to Make Pineapple Tea
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Wash the pineapple, then peel and core it. Place the skin and core in a large pot along with the fresh ginger, cinnamon stick, and any other spices you like. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 45-60 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove from heat, strain, sweeten to taste, and enjoy your tea hot or chilled.
Serving Ideas
- My favorite way to serve pineapple tea is warm in a mug or chilled over ice with a splash of oat milk or my homemade cashew milk and a little maple syrup. It's creamy, lightly sweet, and so good.
- Use leftovers in tropical smoothies or homemade popsicles.
- Serve with a vegan oat bran muffin or a slice of vegan chocolate chip banana bread.
For creamy, refreshing drink ideas, try iced matcha latte, homemade horchata, Korean banana milk, or this easy Korean strawberry milk.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store your cooled pineapple skin tea in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Pour tea into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers — it keeps for up to 2 months
Pineapple Tea FAQs
Yes. The pineapple core adds flavor and natural sweetness, so I like simmering it with the peels.
Boiling may reduce bromelain enzyme activity, so I wouldn’t rely on pineapple peel tea as a major source of active bromelain. This recipe is best enjoyed as a no-waste herbal tea with warming spices.
No, but you do want to wash the pineapple really well since the peel is used in the tea. Scrub the outside under running water with a clean produce brush before cutting.
Yes. Turmeric adds color and earthiness, but the tea is still delicious with just pineapple peels, ginger, and cinnamon. You can also add cloves, orange peel, lemon, lime, or hibiscus for a different flavor.
Bring the pineapple peels and core to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 45–60 minutes. A gentle simmer gives the tea good flavor without making it taste harsh or bitter.
Did you try this recipe? Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest! 💛
📖 Recipe
Homemade Pineapple Peel Tea Recipe
Want To Save This Recipe?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you'll get vegan recipes and meal prep ideas from me every week!
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple, skin and core only, thoroughly washed
- 1-2 inches fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick, or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, or a small knob of fresh turmeric
- 6-8 cups water, enough to cover ingredients
- maple syrup or coconut sugar, to taste, optional
- 1 splash oat milk, optional
Instructions
- Wash & Prep: Scrub pineapple with a veggie brush, or soak skins in 1 cup vinegar + 3 cups water for 10–15 minutes, then rinse well.
- Cut Peel & Core: With a sharp knife, cut the peel and core. Set aside the fruit itself to enjoy fresh (or freeze for a smoothie).
- Add to Pot: Add the pineapple skin and core, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and any optional add-ins (see Notes) to a large pot.
- Cover & Simmer: Pour in enough water to cover, about 6–8 cups. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 45–60 minutes, stirring now and then to let the flavors infuse.
- Strain & Serve: Pour the tea through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag to strain. If you'd like, sweeten with maple syrup or coconut sugar. Sip it hot or with ice. Finish with a splash of oat milk for a creamy twist. Enjoy!
Notes
- Scrub the pineapple well under running water with a clean produce brush before cutting. I sometimes soak mine in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 10–15 minutes, then rinse well before using.
- For a creamier pineapple iced tea, serve chilled over ice with oat milk or homemade cashew milk and a little maple syrup.
- Optional add-ins: Try star anise, cloves, fresh orange, hibiscus flowers, lemon, or lime slices.
- Let the tea cool completely, then store it in an airtight jar or bottle in the refrigerator. For best freshness, enjoy within 3–4 days.
Nutrition
Julie Gaeta is a plant-based recipe creator, certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and mom of nine who's been plant-based for over 20 years. She's cooked approximately 4,382 pots of beans and can't vacation without her juicer and pasta pot. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, Yahoo, YourTango, and other major outlets. She helps others simplify wellness and feel good again through her blog, coaching, and weekly newsletter.
Julie Gaeta says
Such a simple way to feel good from the inside out. Try it with creamy oat milk and a drizzle of maple syrup— it's so good!