Eating unpeeled fruit – what do I need to know?
We all do it on a daily basis, but rarely question it: enjoying fruit with or without the peel. While we peel some types of fruit before eating it, we eat other fruit unpeeled without giving it any thought whatsoever. What fruit can be eaten unpeeled? Read on for some handy tips.
Is the skin healthy?
It is certainly fine to eat the skin of many different types of fruit. This is because most of the fruit’s vitamins and minerals are actually in or directly under the skin. Moreover, the skin of the fruit is also an excellent source of fibre, which will maintain your digestive system in good working order and keep you feeling full for longer. So, wherever possible, do not peel pears, apples, apricots or peaches but instead nibble on the entire fruit, including its healthy ‘jacket’. Make sure, however, that you wash the fruit thoroughly before eating it.
To peel or not to peel?
But what about fruits like bananas, mangos or figs, which we generally always peel? When it comes to fruit that can be eaten with the skin on, it depends on two principles: do I like the taste of the unpeeled fruit and can eating it this way be bad for my health? Taste is of course a very personal thing. Admittedly, the skin of some fruits does taste rather bitter and is difficult to chew. But if you would like to give an unpeeled banana or mango a try, simply add the entire fruit to the blender and drink it as a smoothie – an interesting but harmless taste experiment.
Which peels are better not eaten?
There are some types of fruit, however, which should definitely be peeled. The skin of pineapples, melons and pomegranates is simply not very tasty. Kiwis also fall into this category, although they are eaten and enjoyed unpeeled in New Zealand. The fruity pleasure revealed beneath the skin is all the more juicy.
Important: If you would like to use citrus fruit peels for baking or to make tea, make sure that you use unwaxed fruit.
So, do you prefer your fruit peeled or unpeeled?
Your Dole Team