The Orange Gold of the Orchard: The Forgotten Economy of Sun-Dried Peels

 What you see in the image is now a traditional, but now obsolete, sight. Until about 45 years ago, it was a common sight in the orchards of the Segura River valley.

"Drying orange peels was an important household task and a common way to earn extra money in the Murcia region. Families would peel the fruit and spread the peels out in the sun on reed mats, rooftops, or balconies". (From CronistasdeMurcia)

Once completely dry, the peels were bagged and sold to the local "peel collectors" who came through the streets. These peels had various uses, from the production of essential oils and dyes in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to animal feed during times of scarcity. Today, citrus fruit dehydration is primarily focused on artisanal baking and cocktails. In baking and cooking, once they are well dried and dehydrated, they are crushed or ground to flavor cakes, traditional garden sweets and even infusions.

It has also been traditionally used for home remedies as an excellent natural air freshener for closets, to repel insects, or as an aromatic fire starter for fireplaces and wood-burning stoves during winter.

That picture was taken in the orchard of Abarán.