Cleaning Fruit and Veggies

As we all know is the best to wash almost all of your fruits and vegetables before you use them.

Most fruits and vegetables should not be washed before storage, like mushrooms or raspberries, but everything should be washed before use.

You are not only washing off pesticides or dirt, but you are also washing off any oils/germs from the fruit being in transit and being handled at the store.

When rinsing, use fresh cool drinking water. Do not wash your produce with any detergents or bleaches that you would not want to consume yourself. Some produce can absorb what you are cleaning so it is not wise to use. There are a few commercial produce soaps out there, but their effectiveness has not yet been established. If you do decide to use one, read and follow the directions carefully.

One item that most people forget to wash before eating is melons. Granted we don’t usually eat the rind, but your hands to constantly come in contact with it during preparation and sometimes while eating depending on how it is served.

First of all, clean up your work area. Washing the fruit/vegetables will not do you any good if your work area is dirty. Wash your hands, wipe out the sink and make sure your cutting boards or countertops are clean.

For produce that is soft or small like Berries or Beans, place them in a colander in the sink. Using cold-water spray off the produce well. Inspect each item after it has been rinsed to make sure that it is clean and remove any bad spots if needed. Place the cleaned items in a bowl or on a soft cloth to dry until ready to use.

For larger produce that has a firm skin, wash under cold water using a soft brush or your hands to gently dislodge any dirt. Also monitor each piece for any bad spots and cut out before use. Place on a soft cloth to dry until ready to use.

For leafy vegetables, remove and throw out the outer layer of leaves then rinse well.