An exotic fruit that most of us are not familiar with is the dragon fruit. While the inside can be delicious, the outside is colorful and somewhat intimidating. And you might be wondering, can you eat dragon fruit skin?
Yes, the skin of dragon fruit is edible, but it is not necessarily the most pleasant eating experience. The skin of dragon fruit is thin and leathery, with a slightly bitter taste. If you decide to eat the skin, it is best to do so in small quantities.
Here is a closer look at the dragon fruit and its skin, including its nutritional value, possible health benefits, and what you can do with it.
What Is Dragon Fruit Skin?
The most distinctive feature of dragon fruit is its vibrant pink or red skin, which is covered in green scales.
Yellow dragon fruit tends to be more uniform in color, but the scales may have green-colored tips.
Is Dragon Fruit Skin Poisonous?
No, dragon fruit skin is not poisonous. However, the biggest concern is pesticide residue, as dragon fruit skin is often covered in pesticides to keep pests away.
It is always best to wash dragon fruit thoroughly before eating, even if you plan to remove the skin. You can also buy organic dragon fruit to help avoid pesticide residue.
What Happens If You Eat Dragon Fruit Skin?
If you do eat dragon fruit skin, it is not likely to cause any harm. The skin is high in fiber and antioxidants, which can offer some health benefits.
However, the skin is also quite tough and chewy, and doesn’t taste like dragon fruit flesh, so it might not be the most pleasant eating experience.
Benefits Of Dragon Fruit Skin
Dragon fruit skin is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect against skin cell damage, and the anti-inflammatory properties may help to soothe irritation and inflammation.
In addition, dragon fruit skin contains dietary fiber and other nutrients that can promote good digestion. The beneficial bacteria in your gut will thank you for the prebiotic fiber that helps them thrive.
Dragon fruit skin is also a good source of polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds that have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and enhanced brain function.
The antioxidants in dragon fruit skin may also help to protect against free radical damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
On the other hand, according to Healthline, there have only been two rare cases of allergic reactions to dragon fruit in recorded history. So that should give you some peace of mind if you’re worried about eating the skin.
For these reasons, dragon fruit skin can be a healthy addition to your diet. Now the tricky part is making it taste delicious.
What To Do With Dragon Fruit Skin
You can eat dragon fruit skin fresh or dried and it will help offset the cost of the whole fruit if you do. Here are a few ideas:
- You can add dragon fruit skin to smoothies or juices for a nutritional boost.
- You can make dragon fruit chips by slicing the skin thin and dehydrating it.
- You can use dragon fruit skin as a natural food coloring for smoothies, juices, or desserts.
- You can add dried dragon fruit skin to trail mix or yogurt for a chewy, nutritious snack.
The following two delicious dragon fruit skin recipes are a great way to experiment with the skins.
This stir-fry recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy dragon fruit skin. The dragon fruit is stir-fried with vegetables, including oyster mushrooms, chili, garlic, and palm sugar, and it’s seasoned with salt.
And this jelly dessert made from dragon fruit skin includes fresh milk, agar agar, and sugar.
Whether you intend to try eating dragon fruit skin or not, be sure to check its shelf life and wash the fruit thoroughly before eating. And remember, if you decide to eat dragon fruit skin, it is best to do so in small quantities.
