If you’ve ever bitten into a fruit salad and thought, “Dang, this orange segment is smoother than my last breakup,” chances are you’ve met a supremed orange. Supreming (yes, it’s a verb in chef-land) is a fancy way of saying you’re removing all the bitter pith and membranes so you’re left with just juicy, clean citrus goodness. No chewiness. No stringy bits. Just pure orange bliss.
Whether you’re elevating a salad, garnishing a dessert, or just want to snack like citrus royalty, here’s how to supreme an orange like you’ve got your own cooking show.
🛠️ What You’ll Need:
- A sharp paring knife (or a small, nimble chef’s knife)
- A cutting board
- A bowl (to catch juice and segments)
🔪 Step-by-Step: How to Supreme an Orange
1. Cut off the top and bottom
Place your orange on the cutting board and slice off both ends—just enough to expose the flesh. You want a flat top and bottom so the orange can stand tall without wobbling.
2. Remove the peel and pith
Stand the orange upright. Starting from the top, use your knife to follow the curve of the fruit and slice downward, removing both the peel and the white pith underneath it. Go all the way around the orange, trimming any leftover pith until you’re left with a naked, glistening sphere of citrus joy.
3. Find the membranes
Look closely and you’ll see lines separating the orange segments—those are the membranes. You’re going to cut just inside each one to free the flesh.
4. Slice out the segments
Slide your knife along the membrane on one side of a segment, then again on the other side. Gently lift the segment out and place it in your bowl. Repeat with the rest of the orange, working your way around like a tiny, juicy excavation project.
5. Bonus: Squeeze the leftovers
Don’t toss that sad, floppy membrane carcass! Give it a good squeeze over your bowl to get every last drop of juice. (You earned it.)
🧡 When to Supreme
- For citrus-forward salads (Creamy Orange Chicken Salad)
- When you want a clean bite without bitterness
- To impress your guests—or just yourself
- Anytime you need to glam up your fruit game
🔥 Pro Tip:
Supremed citrus isn’t just for oranges—this trick works with grapefruit, pomelos, lemons, and even blood oranges for a dramatic pop. Be bold. Be zesty.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of orange supremacy (pun intended), toss those segments into a salad, layer them on yogurt, or just eat them straight out of the bowl with a smug smile.
Need more quick kitchen tricks like this? Don’t miss my Solo Cook’s Survival Guide—loaded with tips, tricks, and time-savers to make solo cooking a breeze.
