Abstract: A method of pretreating citrus fruit for facilitating peeling utilizes infusion with an aqueous solution for loosening the peel from the underlying segments. In a first embodiment an infusion of water having essentially neither enzyme nor any other additive therein is accomplished with the use of a pressure or a vacuum apparatus. Further embodiments include making a pair of opposed holes in the peel and forcing an aqueous solution that may or may not contain an enzyme or an additive at low pressure into one of the holes until it emerges from the other hole. In one embodiment water pressure from a faucet may be used; in another, a flexible injection nozzle is used as an interface between the solution source and the inlet hole. All embodiments serve to separate the peel from the segments by hydrating the albedo, making the fruit easier to peel.

Abstract: A method of pretreating citrus fruit for facilitating peeling utilizes water infusion without enzymes for loosening the peel from the underlying segments. The infusion may be accomplished with the use of a pressure or a vacuum apparatus. A further embodiments, which may be used in the home, consists of cutting a pair of opposed holes in the peel and forcing water into one of the holes until it emerges from the other hole. Both embodiments serve to separate the peel from the segments, making the fruit easier to peel.