skórki

Skórki (the Polish plural of skórka) denotes a thin outer layer or protective covering. The term is polysemous and its exact meaning depends on context, commonly referring to peels or skins of natural objects, or to thin surface layers in other domains.

In botany, agriculture and cooking, skórki describe the outer skin or peel of fruits and vegetables, such as skórka jabłka (apple skin) or skórka pomarańczy (orange peel). Some peels are edible and prized for flavor or fiber, while others are discarded. Citrus zest uses the grated outer skórka for aroma, while potato or onion skins may be removed depending on the recipe.

In manicure and dermatology, skórki often means the cuticles surrounding the nails—the thin skin at the base of the nail. Dry, damaged, or overgrown skórki are common concerns in nail care, and handling typically involves softening oils, gentle pushing back, or trimming with appropriate tools.

Other uses include referring to thin surface layers of other organic materials, such as skins of seeds or fruits in processing. Etymologically, the word comes from skóra, with the diminutive suffix -ka, yielding the plural skórki when talking about several such coverings.