Two jars filled with pineapple rind and tepache.

Ever wondered what you could do with your leftover pineapple skins? Well, it looks like you’re just in luck! Discarded pineapple rounds can be used to make a sweet fermented Mexican drink called tepache. It is a very refreshing drink that can be made within a couple of days. It is a good method to extend the life of food scraps before sending them to the compost bin! So to make this fermented drink, you’ll need:

  • Water
  • Pineapple skins or cores 
  • Brown sugar
  • Glass jar 

Steps: 

  1. Place 3 or 4 large pineapple scraps in a 32-ounce jar.
    Two chunks of pineapple rind.
  2. Fill the jar with water, and stir in ¼ cup of brown sugar into the mixture.
    Pineapple rind and sugar inside of three jars.
  3. For the next couple days, shake the glass jar and unscrew the lid to release the carbonation that has formed.
    Sealed Jars filled with pineapple rind and water.
  4. In two days you should see lots of bubbling, and this lets you know that your ferment is ready! This process could take longer due to the changing climate or temperature of your environment, but just keep waiting and stirring the mixture until you see some bubbling!
    An opened jar of pineapple water overflowing with white foam.
  5. Once there is a lot of bubbling, strain the mixture. You can refrigerate the drink overnight, and in the morning you’ll have a fresh cup of tepache!
    A hand holding up a sealed jar of tepache with white foam near the lid.

Hope you enjoyed this quick recipe, and add one more thing to your list of things to do while staying at home! Let us know how it went, and make sure to tag us in your pictures if you do. Thanks for reading,

  • Pricila, Sustainability Specialist