Kiwis are small fruit that grows on vines that look like large, fuzzy green leaves. They’re native to New Zealand and are one of the most popular fruits in the world.
The kiwi is also known as the Chinese gooseberry, although it’s not related to either gooseberries or kiwis. It’s named for its brown, furry skin, which resembles the feathers of a bird called a kiwi.
When it comes to kiwi fruit, most people will peel the skin off and eat just the flesh inside. What if you want to eat the skin too? Is it safe?
Yes, you can eat kiwi skin. It’s nutritous and healthy to eat, but most people discard it due to its texture. Eating the kiwi skin will cause irritation due to trichomes covering the fruit. If you prepare it correctly by shaving off the trichomes, it will cause no irritation.
Is Kiwi Skin Safe To Eat?
Kiwi skin is safe to eat, but most people will throw it away due to the trichomes covering the fruit.
The skin of kiwis contains a toxin called actinidin. This enzyme breaks down proteins into smaller molecules and is essential to the fruit’s growth and development.
The enzymes in kiwi skin are not harmful to humans, but some people have reported digestive issues after eating them.
It’s best to avoid eating the skin if you’re pregnant or have a compromised immune system, as you may be more sensitive to it than others.
Benefits Of Eating Kiwi Skin
Kiwi fruit is a delicious tropical fruit that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Kiwi fruit skin contains different nutrients than the flesh, so it’s beneficial to eat it as well.
In addition to the benefits of eating kiwi fruit, the skin has some added health benefits. The following are some of the top reasons why you should eat kiwi skins:
Pectin Content – Pectin is a type of fiber that helps stabilize blood sugar levels and improves digestion. It also helps prevent constipation and diarrhea by keeping your bowels regular. Eating kiwi skins provides an abundant amount of pectin since they’re made up almost entirely of this nutrient.
Vitamin C – Kiwi skins contain more vitamin C than the flesh does, which means you’ll get more antioxidants from eating them than just eating the fruit itself. Vitamin C is important because it boosts immunity and protects against chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Manganese – This mineral helps your body absorb other nutrients such as iron and calcium, so consuming foods high in manganese can help improve your overall health. Manganese also plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and nerves throughout your body.
Boosts Immunity – The vitamin C content of kiwi helps fight off bacteria and infections, making it a helpful food for those with weakened immune systems like the elderly or young children.
Lowers Blood Pressure – The potassium content of kiwis helps lower blood pressure by counteracting sodium in the body and reducing water retention in your cells, which lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke.
What Do Kiwi Skin Taste Like?
Kiwi skin is edible and very healthy. It’s not as sweet as kiwi fruit, but it’s still tasty. Kiwi skin can be eaten raw or cooked, and it’s used in many recipes. The most common use of kiwi skin is in smoothies and juices, where it adds fiber and nutrients to your drink.
How to Eat Kiwi Skin
Kiwis are often peeled before being eaten, but the skin can be eaten too. When you peel a kiwi for eating or cooking, try to leave a little bit of the green skin on each slice so that you can enjoy its flavor! To eat kiwi skin raw:
Cut away the flesh from one end of the kiwi and cut it into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Set aside any pieces that have lots of seeds or brown spots on them (these parts are usually discarded).
Holding a slice in one hand, gently scrape off the remaining flesh with your teeth by pulling it away from the skin at an angle toward yourself so that most of the flesh comes off with it but leaves as much green skin behind as possible (you’ll need to practice this technique). Discard any remaining pieces that don’t come off easily with your teeth.
Conclusion
The skin of a kiwi is edible and offers a great source of fiber and vitamins. In fact, the skin of a kiwi is one of the best parts. It contains high levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein. Before eating the skin, make sure to remove the trichomes first to avoid irritation.