White peels of oranges and tangerines: is it okay to eat them?

When peeling oranges and tangerines, the white peel often ends up in the trash. It is rich in valuable ingredients.

Mandarins and oranges are especially popular in winter – hardly any other flavor is as closely associated with the Christmas season as the aroma of freshly peeled mandarins. Underneath the peel is a thin white skin, which many people peel off when peeling because they don’t like its slightly bitter flavor or texture. But is it really necessary?

Should we eat the white peel of oranges and tangerines?

The white peel of citrus fruits is high in vitamin C.

The inner white peel of citrus fruits is also called mesocarpy. They have a slightly bitter flavor, but you can eat them. If you eat them, you will not only save time peeling them, but you will also be doing something good for your body. The white peels of oranges and tangerines are very valuable from a nutritional point of view: in addition to satiating fiber that helps digestion, they also contain particularly high amounts of vitamin C, which can support your immune system. In addition, mesocarpy contains secondary plant substances such as flavonoids, which serve as a defense against free radicals and can slow down the aging process.

Beware of pesticides in citrus peels

However, caution should be used when handling the outer rind of citrus fruits. Chemical-synthetic pesticides are often used in conventional agriculture. To avoid getting these substances on the fruit when peeling, rinse oranges and tangerines with warm water and then wash your hands before peeling them. It is best to choose organic citrus fruits, as it is illegal to use synthetic chemical pesticides when growing them.