DIY Produce Rinse - Why it's Time to Start
What does it take to clean fresh food?
I proceeded merrily along my usual routine of googling the subject, seeking more information for a broader perspective.
After this particular bit of research and to my surprise, I'm rethinking my practices.
Like I've mentioned before, I try to buy organic produce whenever possible. It's challenging though, here in WY we don't have the availability and selection like you big city folk do. If I must go non-organic, prior to this post, I always rinse non-organic produce with water but rarely do the same with organic produce. I might have it all wrong.
I found a great article on NPR about cleaning fresh food. NPR's Alison Aubrey interviewed Jack Bishop, the senior editor of Cook's Illustrated magazine, she asked him how the kitchens at Cook's Illustrated cleaned their produce.
Mr. Bishop explained their comparative testing using four different methods.
Washed with antibacterial soap.
Washed with a vinegar solution.
Rinsed with water only.
Scrubbed with a brush.
The outside of the washed fruit was then swabbed with a Q-tip then rubbed the leftover grime into petri dishes. The samples sat for several days in an 80 degree room, after which they counted the bacteria colonies that were present.
Of the four processes used and tested, the vinegar/water solution removed 98% of the bacteria. Vinegar is a rockstar.
Vinegar solution: 1 part vinegar, 3 parts water.
How should you apply the solution? As an example, Mr. Bishop stated that he would spray an apple six times then rinse in water.
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He then explained that the process is a little more labor intensive with leafy produce such as lettuce, spinach or broccoli. In this instance, it's best to let soak in a bowl, not the sink, as sinks can harbor bacteria.
Use the same vinegar/water ratio when soaking (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and soak for a 2 minute period.
Organic or non-organic, I believe preventative rinsing is a practice who's time has come. It's a 30 second, .50 cent investment in cleaner, fresh food and, Lord knows I have vinegar in the house!
What are your thoughts?
Rebecca
Rebecca
posted by Rebecca @ 12:48 PM
37 Comments
37 Comments:
Vinegar? Who would have guessed? Thanks for the info!
We all need to do this. No matter if it is organic or not I just think about how many hands have handled it.
vinegar ; again ! wow ; I love vinegar . and I suppose we all should be doing this . I do not ; but need to start !
Totally agree with SaltyGirl - everything you purchase at a store has been handled by who knows how many people. Adding vinegar to my current fruit and vegie cleaning! Great information - thanks for doing the research for us!
Exactamundo!
You're very welcome! Spread the word too!
Thank you for sharing! I use vinegar for so many chores and here is another good reason : ) I typically wash with antibacterial soap especially when cutting a mango, papaya, avocado etc... and thought I was on the right path - guess not :( Again, thank you for sharing!
You're welcome!
I can't find many organic fruits/veggies around here. So I'm more concerned about pesticides on the skins of fruit, rather than bacteria. Does vinegar remove chemicals too?
Another amazing use for vinegar- why am I not surprised. Thanks to a Costco shopping blackout I have enough vinegar to last me until the next millenium so I'll add it to my uses.
I'm sure you already know this but it is the only thing to really cut through soap scum in glass showers and it cleans the glass. I don't even mind the smell!
For removing pesticides, vinegar works well. However, I would be extra cautious and add some baking soda along with a good scrub for pesticide removal. If you do some research online, you'll see the addition of baking soda as an added defense against pesticides on produce. A little extra elbow grease but so worth it!
Oh my Lord, I go through gallons these days! I'm a weed killing, drain unclogging, shower shiner, dish brightener vinegar disciple!
Wash with antibacterial soap.
Can someone tell me about this one? I've never heard of it.
Using antibacterial soap, in general, is unnecessary. It contains triclosan, which can be problematic in the environment and may be estrogenic. Putting it on your food may be doing more harm than good. Washing hands and such with plain soap is enough provided you wash well. And, as the author states, vinegar is an excellent choice.
I did this with grapes a year or two back and they tasted funky, like vinegar. I've been using bio-kleen's natural produce wash since then but vinegar is a lot cheaper.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/07/05/scientists-discover-that-antimicrobial-wipes-and-soaps-may-be-making-you-and-society-sick/ - Just a link for some evidence for Tina's good point
What about berries? Spray and rinse?
Spray and rinse or, for large amounts of berries....a 2min soak then rinse.
I love your blog!! Is this necessary for food you grow yourself?
Thank you! I don't think cleaning your own produce is necessary unless you use pesticides.
I've been using Trader Joe's anti-bacterial soap that has tea tree oil in it, a natural anti-bacterial. Seems to work pretty well though I suppose I could concoct a vinegar/soap solution. I also don't always have access to organic and I am more concerned about pesticides than bacteria.
People who've tried this: Does the vinegar smell/taste go away after rinsing it? Or do you need to let them dry for a while? (I'm thinking of all the raspberries sitting on my counter, and worrying that the vinegar water will collect inside them and not rinse out well! EW for vinegar flavored berries!) :)
If you have a large amount of berries, rinse in a bowl of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. Then rinse well with water only, there shouldn't be any vinegar aftertaste at all!
Yup, you were right! I did exactly that and then ate them - no vinegar smell or taste! Yippee!
Thanks for sharing :)
I first heard about this as a way to keep berries fresh longer since it is the bacteria that causes them to go soft. It has worked wonderfully.
I have found that my berries last a lot longer in the fridge when soaked clean in vinegar
I keep a spray bottle of Vinegar and water in my kitchen (maybe a little stronger than 1 - 3) I use it to clean the counters & sink And use the same bottle to spray down my produce.
I have read that cleaning the raspberries with vinegar also retards mold, and they usually mold so fast.
Yes! Someone understands! Eating an unwashed apple, for example, is like sucking on a public doorknob! Ick!
I use vinegar for housecleaning and now I am going to start using it for produce cleaning! Thanks!
What kind of vinegar should you use? Or does it matter?
White vinegar is best :))
My gma always taught us to fill a large basin with water and 2c viniger....soak all produce for 10 min.... do not rinse and I swear to u that strawberrys will stay fresh for weeks lol.....also try replacing ur shampoo with apple cider viniger results are amazing :)
I know some of the amazingness of vinegar. And I come across more, and more every day! Can't go wrong with the stuff...
For cleaning I use a mix of vinegar/water and add tea tree oil into it; it would be safe to use on produce as well. Then, you wouldn't have to buy the soap you are currently using anymore:)
I use organic apple cider vinegar. About a tablespoon in a bowl of water with berries or lettuces or whatever. I rinse well after soaking and let the fruit or greens dry on paper towels on the kitchen counter. Properly stored (dry and layered with paper towels in container, the berries will last for weeks. The greens too for that matter but I usually have eaten them before then!
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