The Right Way to Wash Fruits and Vegetables

We all know that fresh fruits and vegetables are good for us. But most of us may be wondering if we reality need to wash them and if yes, what is the proper way to do so?

Before eating fresh fruits and vegetables, it has long been suggestion to rinse  well with water to remove unwanted residues from the surface. But due to the pandemic that is currently happening, many headlines were circulating that inspire greater abrasive approaches to clean produce before indigestion, making a few people marvel whether or not water is enough.

This article describes best practices and methods for washing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption.

Before the washing process, there are steps we need to bear in mind beforehand. And it includes the following:

• You should wash your hands properly with with a soap and water.
• Ensure that the washing station is disinfected before using it.
• You need to take out the fruits and vegetables out the bag or box right away, and throw the bag or box properly afterwards.
• Never ever use a disinfectant soap on the fruits and vegetables.

Proper Washing Methods for Produce

1. Rinsing Method

Rinsing your produce below the faucet is the first step for all fruits and vegetables. That additionally consists of organic produce due to the fact it could nonetheless have pesticides, bacteria, and different germs lingering at the surface. Here are a few suggestions for a produce shower:

• Hot water is a bit more effective than cold water, but be aware that when washing delicate items such as fresh raspberries, too much heat will cause them to fall apart. This can also happen if the water from the faucet overflows.
• Do not use soaps, bleaches or other chemical cleaners. Strictly adhere to the pure water selected by the CDC to protect yourself.
• Also, be sure to wash your hands before rinsing the product. You want the product to be clean and you don’t want to add bacteria or bacteria from your hands. It is also a good habit to wash your hands when you come back from the outside.
• Use a clean strainer to rinse small items that are difficult to hold by hand, such as vegetables, peas, green beans, and cherry tomatoes. Stir with your fingertips to wash away dirt, bacteria and bacteria.
• Dry everything using a clean towel or paper towel before putting it away in the fridge or on the counter in a fruit bowl; otherwise, the moisture could cause mold to grow quickly.
• Dry everything using a clean towel or paper towel before putting it in the fridge or counter fruit bowl. Otherwise, moisture can lead to the rapid growth of mold.

2. Soaking Method

Soaking is another way to clean fruits and vegetables, especially the more delicate types that do not work with running water. Here’s how it works:

• More delicate fruits and vegetables usually comes in bundle (such as grapes and berries) can be soaked in cold or lukewarm water for 5-30 minutes to water away dirt, insects and other invisible pests.
• Since white vinegar is a natural bacterial killer, you can add about  1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar per  cup of water. The product should be rinsed with clean water after soaking, especially when using vinegar, as it can have a faint odor. You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar. But in general this is not necessary.
• If you want to immerse the product in the sink, you must first wash the sink itself. After soaking the produce, make sure everything is completely dry before storing it to keep it fresh longer.

3. Scrubbing Method (Heavy Duty)

For fruits and vegetables that can handle a little more grainy, scrubbing can effectively remove more dirt and bacteria.

• Thick-skinned produce such as pumpkins, melons, carrots, and other root vegetables should be scrubbed with running water with a clean brush, even if you plan to peel them. Moreover, the brush used for cleaning should be cleaned as well to prevent trapping bacterias.
• Some products have an edible wax coating, such as apples, cucumbers and lemons. If you want to eat their skins, you can opt to using baking soda as a natural exfoliating agent to remove the wax layer.
• Some products have an edible wax coating, such as apples, cucumbers and lemons. If you want to eat the skin, you can use baking soda as a natural exfoliating agent to  remove the wax layer.
• You can also soak these items in boiling water for a short time, or pour hot water into the product. Then scrub to loosen the warm, softened wax and  invisible pesticides and bacteria.
  
  

Reason Why We Need to Wash Fresh Produce

Proper washing of fresh fruits and vegetables, with or without a pandemic, is a good  practice to minimize the pick-up of potentially harmful residues and bacteria.

Fresh food is processed by many before  it is purchased at a grocery store or farmer’s market. It is best to assume that not all hands touching fresh produce were clean. It’s safe to assume that many of the fresh produce you buy has been coughed on, sneezed on, and breathed on, as all people are constantly running through these environments.

Proper washing of fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption can significantly reduce the amount of residue that may remain on the way into the kitchen.