You can bite into a ripe mango to eat it safely if you don’t have a knife to cut it up first or prefer this method.
It’s best to wash the mango fruit with water first to remove any dirt since you don’t know who has handled the fruit, where it’s been, or what it might have come in contact with on the tree.
Also, you can eat the mango like an apple with the skin and inner flesh. However, some people may be sensitive to the urushiol oil on the mango’s body.
So, continue reading to learn the best way to eat a mango, when to bite into it, and what you shouldn’t bite into.
When Should You Bite into a Mango?
You should only bite into a mango if you’re not allergic to the tree sap or urushiol oil and the mango has been washed.
I’ve summarized a few instances when you can bite into a mango below:
- You don’t have a knife. Most people prefer to eat their mangoes with a knife. If you’re on a farm or don’t have one handy, you can bite into that mango.
- You’ve washed the mango. Preferably inside/under running clean water. This gets rid of sap, dirt, and other contaminants that may be on the skin.
- You’re not allergic. If you’re allergic to mango sap or urushiol oil (found in poison ivy), you may want to lay off eating your mango like an apple.
However, the mango may get stuck in your teeth when you eat it this way. In that case, follow this guide to safely remove stuck mangoes from your teeth.
Why Shouldn’t You Bite into a Mango?
While eating mangoes the old-fashioned way is great, I have reasons to prevent biting into them this way. Here are a few:
- You’re allergic to mango peels. As much as I’d like you to savor the taste of the mango skin, it’s not worth risking your health. Enjoy the mango flesh, or stay away from mangoes altogether.
- You don’t want a mess. Very ripe and overripe mangoes may make a mess if you bite into them directly. Thus, the best mangoes I dip into are slightly unripe ones or those just getting ripe.
- You haven’t rinsed the mango skin off. Under no circumstances should you eat a mango that you haven’t rinsed off yet. Save yourself the stress from food poisoning!
- You’re not sure of its origins. Some mangoes are ripened with various chemicals. Other mango trees may be sprayed with pesticides and chemicals that get onto the fruit. In these cases, a simple rinse won’t solve it.
Is It Safe to Eat Mango Peel?
Mango peels are edible and can be eaten alongside the rest of the mango. However, some people are allergic to the urushiol on mango peels and may have to peel off the mango to eat the fleshy inside.
Otherwise, some research has proven that mango peels are great for
- More potent anti-cancer properties compared to the mango flesh.
- Higher concentration of antioxidants compared to the mango flesh.
- Oxidative stress reduction properties.
- High dose of vitamin C.
- High concentration of dietary fiber.
- High doses of vitamin E.
Thus, if you’re not allergic to mango peels, I don’t see why you should discard them. I don’t.
Are There Other Ways to Eat a Mango?
There are many more ways to eat a mango than simply biting it.
Some of these are:
- Cutting and eating with a knife.
- Dicing the mango up to eat with a fork.
- Cooking meals with mango.
- Making mangoes into smoothies.
- Making mango puree.
- And so much more.
Look at this guide to eating mangoes like a pro to find more ways to eat your mangoes at home.
What Part of the Mango Isn’t Edible?
The mango’s seed, skin, and flesh are all edible and can be eaten differently. However, the seed of a ripe mango is usually hard and bitter, making it hard to eat with the rest of the mango.
Still, you can prepare the mango seed for eating in various ways. Follow this guide to eating mango seeds to find different preparation techniques for this unusual delicacy.
Is It Safe to Eat the Seed of a Mango?
The mango seed is safe to eat, provided it’s prepared properly, but you should never swallow it. This seed is a suitable teether for babies who don’t have an urushiol allergy since it’s slightly sweet and keeps them busy on the chewy part.
If you eat a mango seed, it’s best to crack the bigger pit to find the smaller, edible seed inside.
Go Enjoy Your Mangoes
Eating your mangoes by biting into them isn’t bad as long as you wash them properly and you’re not allergic to the fruit or its skin. Also, ensure you know it’s from an organic source and a ripe mango.
Luckily, this is not the only way to eat a mango. So, if you’re worried about eating your mango without making a mess, there are other approaches.
