koorimised

Koorimised is an Estonian term referring to the act or process of peeling—the removal of the outer layer of fruit, vegetables, or other produce. It can also denote the peels or skins themselves. The concept is a common preparatory step in cooking, baking, and food processing, used to improve texture, mouthfeel, appearance, or flavor, or to remove bitterness or toxins from certain skins.

Methods and applications vary by item. Citrus fruits are often peeled with a knife or citrus peeler to obtain zest and segments, while potatoes, carrots, apples, and other produce are typically peeled with a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Some peels are removed by heat, for example blanching to loosen skins on tomatoes or peaches. In many recipes, peels are saved for zest, candied peels, stock, or other uses; in others, they are discarded as waste or compostable material.

Etymology and usage notes: koorimised is formed from the verb koorima (“to peel”) with the noun-forming suffix -mine, resulting in the plural form that can refer to multiple peeling instances or batches of peeled produce. The related noun koorimine denotes the general act of peeling; koorimised emphasizes the instances or sets.

Food safety and practicality: produce should be washed before peeling, and peels from non-organic sources may carry contaminants, which influences decisions about washing or whether to peel. Koorimised appear in domestic cooking, canning, pickling, and various commercial food-processing contexts where peeling is required for texture, uniformity, or presentation.