If you\u2019ve been wondering when do mangos come in season, the answer is right now! Assuming you\u2019re reading this in the summertime, of course \u2013 mangoes are a summer stone fruit, and a very tasty, tropical-tasting one at that. There\u2019s nothing like the flavor of fresh mango in a salad or smoothie! But can you eat the peel along with the flesh of the fruit?<\/p>\n
Historically, we human beings tend to peel our fruits and veggies before we eat them, which is a shame, since the skins (or rinds, or peels \u2013 whichever you prefer to call them) of many fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients. For instance, the skin of a potato contains B vitamins, iron, calcium and other nutrients, while the pith of an orange contains as much C as the orange itself.<\/p>\n
As for mangos\u2026well, that peel you\u2019re removing and throwing away is actually very<\/em> nutritious, containing powerful antioxidants that may help fight or even prevent a variety of cancers, including brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. Mango peels also contain triterpenes and triterpenoids, which are plant compounds that help fight diabetes, and are rich in beta cryptothanxin, a nutrient that may help prevent heart disease.<\/p>\n Mango peels are very rich in fiber, too, which can help lower your risk of developing diverticulitis. And eating mango peels may even help you lose weight \u2013 some studies have shown that mango peel extract actually reduces the formation of fat cells.<\/p>\n With all mango peels have going for them, why don\u2019t most people eat them? To be perfectly honest, they don\u2019t taste all that great \u2013 they may be safe<\/em> to eat, but then, so is pine park! Mango peels have a bitter flavor, and they\u2019re very tough, so you might find them hard to get down.<\/p>\n Also, some folks may have an allergic reaction from eating mango peels. This is because mango peels contain urushiol, the same compound that\u2019s in poison ivy and poison oak. If you\u2019re sensitive to urushiol you could wind up developing a skin rash just from handling unpeeled fresh mangos, and for some folks they may even cause breathing problems.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not overly sensitive to urushiol and you\u2019d like to try to get some of the benefits from eating mango skins, there are<\/em> ways you can prepare them to make them more palatable.<\/p>\n First off, you should wash the fruit well, or get organic fruit, to limit your exposure to pesticides. Then, makes some mango peel syrup! It\u2019s actually pretty easy \u2013 just combine a pound of mango pits and peels, a quartered lemon or lime, and a half-pound of sugar and let it sit overnight until the sugar liquifies. Drain and squeeze the pulp and bottle the syrup. Voila!<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019d prefer to avoid the extra sugar, you can make mango chips instead. Toss the peels with smoked paprika, cumin, salt or other spices and dehydrate them at 135\u00b0F until they\u2019re crispy for a tasty, take-along snack.<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s Not-So-Great About Mango Skins<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Prepare Mango Skins for Eating<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Where to Find Florida Mangos for Sale<\/strong><\/h3>\n