Home Bar Basics: How to Pull A Peel

Ok so this seems like a no brainer really but there is an art to pulling very good citrus peels for twists. In this Video I share my method for pulling nice peels without cutting yourself. This video was done because someone asked me how I get such nice twists for the srinks I make and present, So I thought it might be good to share the method. Hope you guys find it useful.

Here's links to the tools I use in this episode:

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[mauricioromero]

Really helpful for beginner bartenders, thank you. On the expectation of more great tutorials like this.

[ssd]

Good advice! A little trick I use is to slightly flatten the orange on the counter beforehand, right along where you're about to peel, which helps get a nice wide peel, specially with smaller oranges lemons and limes. It also reduces the amount of pith on the peel.
I'd also love a peeler with a slightly curved blade, get some perfect peels.

[StevetheBartender_]

I always peel ‘top to bottom’ rather than around.. I get shorter peels but I use the orange a handful of times. Going around the fruit looks like it really limits the number of peels you can get off the orange to 1 or 2..?

[ConScortis]

"Peeling a piece of fruit is kind of an art". You shall henceforth be known as "Leandro Da Vinci".

[loki]

Wow, so happy you did this one! Just sliced my pinky finger peeling an orange last week, so it feels like the universe is taking pity.

[HarrierMan]

Thank you. I'm making cocktails tonight and this was the exact tutorial I was looking for!

[Michael-vjyq]

Watched this after destroying my pinky finger with a brand new Y peeler on an "old" orange... thank you for this! Reassuring to know I'm not the only one

[TheBubyChris]

A Mr. Hankey reference while pulling peels? My day has been made and it’s 7:15 in the morning. Very nice guide for the newer folks of peels, great work.

[lannalyric]

Thank you so much! I have a mock bar test today at a new bar and peeling is something I've never really had to do before. I feel like a pro now. Thank you sooo much!

[ericEsilva]

Yasss, finally!! Ha, great video. I've been nervous to hold and peel lately because the peeler slipped and sliced my finger pretty bad. Again great content!

[OwlScowling]

I'm so grateful someone finally made a tutorial for this. I feel like this isn't covered well-enough for home bartenders that don't have loads of fruit to go through to learn the basics. Have you found that citrus right out of the refrigerator is harder to peel? I mostly make drinks at home and so I keep almost all of the citrus in the fridge so I don't have to worry about them going bad as quickly.

[zfox]

Yes! I asked you about this awhile back on your Fair and Warmer video. Your peels always come out even and substantial. Need to get working on mine.

[missMhack]

I didn't realise until now how much I needed this video!! I use a knife half the time because I've cut myself too many times using a peeler hahaha thank you, Leandro!! I'm trying this out when I'm in the bar next!!

[mykg]

Another very helpful tutorial Leandro!! If only this was available about 2 weeks ago before I took-out a slice of my fingertip and nail. Also, realizing the ripeness of the fruit is key.

[lancebrooks]

The title sounds like a Seinfeld sketch:

“Do you know how to pull a peel?”
“I’ve never pulled a peel”
“You’ve never peeled?”
“I’ve never pulled”

[Triadii]

This is such a simple concept and difficult task, I remember the first time trying to get a zest I had peeled off a small brittle thin circle of orange skin.

[davefleisch]

Thank you! Really helpful video. And I appreciated the Mr. Hanky conclusion...

[AndrewAdairdroobage]

Your peels have always made me jealous, so I went out and bought myself a Y-peeler last week. Promptly sliced my pinky the first time I used it. If only I'd waited a week for this video to come out...

Thanks for the video, now I know how to practice!

[bbjzx]

thanks for this... next time can you do a lemon? I've had too many accidents with a Y peeler so I usually just use a pairing knife which gets me a nice thick peel. I usually go back and trim the pith a bit with the knife. It takes a little longer but it comes out really nice.

[MrBetzu]

-Peeling an orange its a lot like a good marriage
-JUST PEEL THE DAMN ORANGE!