Importance Of Washing Vegetables

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Wondering why you should wash your vegetables before you eat them every time? Then, this article is for you to know more about it.

Cleaning and washing your vegetables is an step to prevent food-borne illnesses caused by bacteria like salmonella, listeria & e.coli. Washing vegetables can eliminate most of the residues left on the fruits & vegetables like harmful pesticides, but it is not a foolproof method to remove bacteria.

Know If Your Vegetables Are Chemical Free

Studies suggest that vegetables and fruits become contaminated during various production phases before it arrives in the market. The amount of pesticide residue left on fruits and vegetables is really high and it cannot be consumed just like that.

Most of these pesticides found in vegetables and fruits are complex molecules that are oil based & are primarily water-insoluble. So, it is critical to make sure that all your fruits & veggies are safe to eat by using some simple and proper washing techniques.

Clean Vegetables And Fruits -Tips And Suggestions

Use Warm Water

To clean the wax-coat from fruits and vegetables it should be washed using warm water. Make sure the water is "ONLY LUKE WARM" as the fruit or vegetable may get spoilt. Use a soft brush to briskly brush the fruit or vegetable as wax will be a real thin film which needs a little bit of scrubbing.

Use Vinegar And Water

Just soak your leafy greens and broccoli in a bowl of vinegar and water solution for at least 5 mins. This helps the pesticide residue to float on the bowl. You need to thoroughly wash it before cooking.

Use A Scrub Brush

To clean mud and pesticides, use a scrub brush on the firm outer coverings or thick skin of the produce like potatoes, bell peppers, carrots and cucumbers. Scrub them gently for at least 2 minutes. It will help in removing the toxins and pesticides from the vegetables.

Wash Under Cool Running Water

Thin skinned delicate fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, berries and grapes can be washed under cool running water for few minutes. It helps to remove the pesticides to a large extent.

Washing And Drying

Clean the vegetables and fruits with clean water and let it dry. For exceptions like raw sprouts which are open to easy bacterial infestationextra care should be taken. Store the sprouts in a clean air tight box and cook it immediately after opening it.

Don't Use Soaps Or Detergents

Never use detergents to clean your veggies and fruits as it penetrates the skin of the produce which is impossible to rinseoff completely. Moreover, it is potentially hazardous as they are designed for other purposes.