Yes, that fuzzy brown skin on your kiwifruit is edible. And no, eating it is not a desperate act. However, clean it thoroughly before eating it because this outer layer comes into contact with dirt, bacteria, pesticides, other shoppers’ hands, and other contaminants. If you’re tossing slices in a fruit salad or other preparation, the nutrient-rich skin keeps them intact while also adding textural variety. There is no justification for skipping proper cleaning, especially given that it can prevent an uncomfortable case of foodborne illness.
Choose firm, plump kiwis and let them ripen for three to five days. Pick fruit without blemishes, nicks, discoloration, or other flaws, or rind damage. Additionally, because you will be eating the peel, choose organic Kiwi whenever possible to avoid consuming pesticide residue.
If you do find fruit that has some bruising or damage, cut off any affected areas with a kitchen knife. Cut off the kiwi’s stem end tip as well.
The kiwifruit should be held beneath a powerful stream of cold running water. Spin it around to rinse all the surface area. To get rid of debris and other impurities, scrub the entire peel with a produce brush with a medium amount of firmness. Rinse the fruit off again after scrubbing.
Eric Mohrman is an Orlando, Florida-based food, travel, and lifestyle writer. His love of cooking and eating is complemented by his professional experience, having worked for 10 years in both the front and back of the house at both casual and fine dining establishments. For publications such as Visit Florida, Orlando Style Magazine, CrushBrew Magazine, Agent Magazine, Dollar Stretcher Magazine, The 863 Magazine, and others, he has written print and online articles about food and drink.
While you should rinse every fruit and vegetable thoroughly, here are some that require extra attention.
Although the pandemic has undoubtedly discouraged us from purchasing items from outside sources, we have made it a conscious effort to wash everything we purchase. The first thing you should do is wash your fruits and vegetables under a running faucet, whether you purchase them from the supermarket or a nearby market that sells them packaged in layers of plastic. You could occasionally rinse them in a bucket of water as well, but guess what? On occasion, even that might not be sufficient to thoroughly clean the vegetables or fruits. Although our safety procedures have improved since the pandemic began, some foods still require additional care.
Should You Wash Kiwi Fruit Before Eating?
Like any fruit or vegetable you intend to eat, kiwis need to be washed before consumption.
They must be thoroughly cleaned and washed because the fruit’s outer skin can become infected with bacteria, chemically contaminated, or foreign in nature.
If you visit the food and safety page on the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) website , they have an in-depth article highlighting the importance of washing fruits and vegetables before they are eaten.
According to the CDC, washing produce before eating it helps ensure food safety and lowers your risk of contracting diseases like Listeria and E. coli. coli and salmonella.
Do you need to clean kiwi fruit if you aren’t eating the peel?
If you don’t intend to eat the peel, do you still need to know how to clean kiwi fruit? Cleaning the kiwi is still a good idea because the bacteria and dirt on the fruit can get on the knife. The contaminants spread to the fruit you will be eating as soon as you start cutting the kiwi.