Save Your Banana Peels To Make The Absolute Best Tea

Next time you're eating a banana, think twice before tossing the peel in the trash. Did you know that banana peels are actually edible? While taking a bite of a raw banana skin might not be too appetizing, there are other ways to incorporate the fruity peels in your food and drink, like banana peel tea, for instance. 

Banana peel tea is yummy, comforting, and super quick and easy to make. Simply rinse the peel to clean it, cut it into a few pieces, and boil them in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a mug and voilà — you have a tasty cup of tea with a sweet, mild banana flavor. 

This fruity, homemade tea is gaining popularity on social media, mainly for its purported sleep-inducing qualities. However, despite claims that it can help treat insomnia, there is currently little research on the effects of banana peel tea on sleep. The idea of it as a sleep-aid largely stems from the fact that bananas contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps produce the sleep-regulating hormones serotonin and melatonin. A 2021 research study in the Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences even found that consuming 260 grams of bananas (about 2.5 bananas) helped a group of elderly participants reduce sleep disorder symptoms. While it's safe to assume banana peel tea contains some of the beneficial nutrients found in bananas like tryptophan, magnesium, and potassium, more studies are needed to prove whether it is enough to help regulate sleep. 

Banana peels can easily turn into the perfect cup of decaf tea to help you relax before bedtime. According to Sleep.com, certified adult sleep coach and Sleepably founder Seth R. Davis says the ritual of drinking tea before bed has a calming effect. He says, "We want to be in a state where our mind is calm, we're not thinking of our to-do lists, we're just focused on winding down before sleep. So, anything we can do, including drinking tea, to get into that relaxed state of mind is going to be helpful." 

If a tea made from banana peels sounds bland to you, don't fret. You can wind down with a super tasty cup of banana tea by adding a few ingredients to boost the flavor. Warm spices pair well with the sweetness of bananas, so try adding a cinnamon stick or two to the boiling water with the peels, and use the sticks as a garnish in your tea. For a super spiced version, in addition to cinnamon, add whole cloves and whole allspice to the pot. Milk and honey are other classic tea add-ins that'll liven up the taste. Also, always make sure to use peels from ripe bananas — unripe banana peels not only taste bitter but have high levels of tannins that may have negative health effects. For another clever banana skin hack, try using leftover banana peels to make super juicy chicken.