Why do you need to wash fruits and vegetables?
Hand and fruit washing recommendations do not apply only when travelling to remote locations. At a time when it is fruits and vegetables that are among the greatest travelers in the world, it is good to remember that it is necessary to wash them before eating. Even when they are shelled (like a banana and orange) and even when seemingly the fruit feels clean.
Karlskroonas we know very well that banana, orange and watermelon travel thousands of miles before reaching the Estonian food table and several countries, ports, warehouses and logistics centers. Cultivation, harvesting, sorting, transportation, storage, store shelf... During this time, their surface can be subjected to:
dust;
soil;
bacteria;
and to a small extent residues of plant protection products.
The fruits may look completely clean, but dust, bacteria or other microorganisms may still be found on their surface. It is not always possible to see the dirt with an eye.
Good news? A proper flush with running water removes much of it.
Fruit and vegetables sold in the European Union undergo strict controls and must meet the applicable limits. Nevertheless, washing properly is a simple and reasonable habit - so you can reduce any residue left on the surface and remove dirt. For this purpose, the usual cold water is mostly sufficient.
How to wash fruits and vegetables correctly?
Before washing fruits and vegetables, it is worth washing your hands first. Otherwise, pure fruit can get contaminated again from black hands.
The easiest and most effective way to wash fruits and vegetables and berries is to usecool to cold running water.
Warm water does not clean better and can instead damage gentler fruits (such as berries and peaches). Hot water is also not recommended because it can change the texture of the fruits and speed up deterioration.
Good rule of thumb:
✔️ Flowing Cold or Cool Water
✔️ wash for 20-30 seconds
✔️ rub the fruit with your hand or with a soft brush
✔️ dry the fruit with a clean paper towel to retrieve the last dirt
Don't use soap, dishwashing detergent or disinfectants - fruits and vegetables can absorb these substances, but they're not meant to be eaten.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC and European food safety experts do not recommend using soap or dishwashing detergent to wash fruits and vegetables. They may remain on the surface of the fruit and it is not recommended to ingest them.
Spikker: how to wash?
🍎 Apples, Bulbs and Plums
These are fruits with a stronger shell.
The best way:
rinse under running cold water;
rub the whole surface clean with your hand;
if necessary, use a soft vegetable brush.
If you eat with the cream, no peeling is needed. It is under the bark that many fiber and beneficial plant compounds are found. However, if you doubt the purity of the fruit, you can always peel the fruit.
🍑 Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines
They have a delicate cream that doesn't need to be scrubbed with a strong brush.
It is enough to rinse the fruit under running water and gently rub it with your fingers.See visually that the fruit feels clean. If, however, you doubt the purity of the fruit, only then peel.
🍒 Cherries and Concerns
Rinse in a sieve under plenty of cold water.
Gently dry the fruits with clean kitchen paper.
🍌 Bananas
"I don't eat cream after all." True, but in the banana peels, the fingers touch the cream first and then the pulp.
A quick rinse before exfoliating helps reduce the exposure of dirt and possible residue to the edible part and your hands with which you touch other foods.
🍇 Grapes
It is only worth washing the grapes just before eating.
Keep the bunion in a sieve and let the cold water flow through between the berries. Twist the cluster several times so that the berries in the middle can also be cleaned.
🍊 Oranges, lemons, limes and mandarins
They deserve a particularly decent wash. Always. Even if you eat only the contents, but especially if you latch lemon or orange zest into a cake, marinade or drink, because the nonda gets into the cream directly into the food.
Rinse the citrus under running water and rub the surface clean with your hand. If necessary, use a soft brush. The rule applies to citrus - the more carefully you wash, the better for your health.
🥬 Salads and greens
The most soil accumulates between the salad leaves.
The best way:
remove damaged outer leaves;
rinse in cold water;
gently move the leaves around in the water;
if necessary, change the water and repeat washing;
dry in a salad whisker or between a clean kitchen towel.
Wet lettuce spoils faster, so if you wash a larger amount in advance, dry it as best as possible.
The salad whisker is one of the most understated kitchen gadgets.
However, if "washed" or "ready to eat" is indicated on the salad packaging, the salad can be rinsed over again quickly before use.
🍓 Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
Wash the berries only before eating.
If you wash them already when you come from the store, they start to soften and mold faster.
Use a sieve and let the cold water flow through the berries gently.
🥕 Carrot, beetroot and parsnip
The roots grow in the soil and often remain in fine soil on their surface.
Wash under running water and use a vegetable brush if necessary.
If you plan to peel, do it only after washing. This way, the peeling knife does not transfer the dirt on the surface to the pulp.
🥒 Cucumber
Also if you plan to peel.
The idea is the same - let the surface be clean before cutting.
Should fruits and vegetables be dried after washing?
It depends on when you plan to eat them.
If you eat immediately:
✔️ shake off the larger water or dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
If you want to store in the refrigerator:
✔️ better leave unwashed until use.
Excess moisture shortens the shelf life of many fruits and vegetables and promotes mold formation.
Do vinegar or baking soda help clean the fruits?
Under domestic conditions, mostly clean running water is enough to clean the fruits and salad.
Some studies have shown that the baking soda solution can help remove some of the pesticide residues on the surface, but the difference compared to careful washing is not significant for most home situations. Dishwashers or other chemicals must not be used to wash fruits and vegetables, they do harm rather than good.
What about heating?
For some vegetables, heat treatment additionally helps to make food safer.
For example:
broccoli;
cauliflower;
green beans;
spinach.
Boiling or steaming may reduce some of the pesticide residues, but its main goal is still to destroy potential microorganisms. However, heating is not suitable for fruits or salads for fresh eating.
Karlskroona Recommendation
The best habit is simple:wash all fruits and vegetables just before eating or preparing under running cold water.It helps to remove dirt, reduce residues on the surface and ensures that fresh stuff reaches the table in the best possible condition.
