Bitter Orange Peel - where to buy?

[Nztayls]

Anyone know of anyone in NZ that stocks proper bitter orange peel?. I like brewing Belgian Witbier, but haven't been able to source any of this. Apparently a place in Auckland used to bring it in,..but now don't. I have been using fresh peel, but I want to try to remain as true to style as possible. I have even planted a Savile orange tree to source my own,...but the way thats growing I don't think I'll be getting nay fruit of it for at least 5 years!

Cheers!

Damon

[JumpR]

I have been lamenting this as well, so will keep an eye on this thread.  Would be awesome to find some dried curaco, but I suspect it would have to be ordered from overseas.

[Nztayls]

Yeah, was thinking about trying to order in a few packs from Aussie,..but wasnt sure what BioNZ would think about it coming across the border. Surely if it was properly packaged it would be okay.

[Grant R Baker]

Maybe try an Organics supply shop. Our local one in Lower Hutt has a scary selection of stuff that could end up in a brew. They often have dried or roasted seeds, grains and fruit.

[Tom C]

Fresh and Save, an Asian grocers with branches around Auckland (if not elsewhere) do a Mixed Citrus Peel I have used to good effect in Wit Biers.  It's intended for cakes and has suger syrup in it, so I assume that's 'candied', which may not be what you're after though.

[bart]

I've always found good results from simply using navel orange peel... better flavour and easier to source than the dried stuff. Brewcraft used to supply both the 'sweet' and the 'bitter' orange peel. But from what I have read in various books several authors support the idea that fresh is best... using normal oranges as 'bitter' and mandarin as 'sweet'. Seems to have worked well for me so far. Zest of two navel oranges in a 20L batch is about the right level.