Chenpi ✦

Chenpi (écorce de mandarine séchée)

What it is

Under China's geographical indication the peel may not be called chenpi until it has aged three years, and the Xinhui district of Guangdong holds the name for the finest lots. Old vintages are dated, stored and traded much as old wine is, the raw bitterness of fresh peel having turned camphorous and medicinal.

In the kitchen

Soak briefly and scrape the white pith off the inside before use - that is where the raw bitterness sits. A piece the size of a thumbnail will perfume a whole duck or a pot of red bean.

Goes with

Duck Pork belly Adzuki bean Ginger Star anise Shou pu-erh Chinese rock sugar Dark chocolate

Same species

Bergamot Candied citron Citron Menton lemon Makrut lime Dried lime

Something wrong here, or missing? Tell us