Why is it important to wash strawberries in salt water before eating them?
Strawberries are arguably the most anticipated fruits of the spring season. Consumed fresh or as a dessert, but also in certain sugary drinks, these coveted products should be carefully stored in the refrigerator. But before putting them in the cold, it is best to wash them with salt water. We explain the reasons behind this technique.
Summary
Why wash strawberries with salt water? Other tips for cleaning strawberries before eating them
Before eating this fruit, rich in vitamins and minerals, it is advisable to adopt a simple gesture that would considerably reduce the presence of insects, bacteria and residues in this food.
Why wash strawberries with salt water?
You’ve probably found a bug in your bowl of strawberries one day. This is what happens when you don’t take the time to wash your fruit well. Instead of just rinsing them in tap water, put them in salt water. You will be surprised by the result!
– Strawberries in salt water, a trick to eliminate insects
Wash the strawberries – Source: spm
Washing the strawberries with water first cleans them of dust, residues but also pesticides. Washing these fruits with salt water would eliminate, according to a viral video on Tik Tok, certain insects present there. Although the facts reported in this video are controversial, it is clear that washing strawberries is essential. Some insects or fly larvae may be present in these fruits, but not always.
To eat your strawberries with peace of mind, it is best to soak them in salted water. To do this, take a basin of water where you will dilute two tablespoons of salt before submerging your strawberries in it. You will notice in some rare cases, the presence of certain insects. No panic! Greg Loeb, entomologist and professor at the University of Corneil, explains for the American media CNN and broadcast by the newspaper Ouest-France, that when we eat fresh products, we eat insects. He also adds that it can be annoying but harmless and that eating insects doesn’t make you sick.
This type of insect exists in all the fruits and vegetables you eat but does not pose any danger to humans. To avoid any scares, you can eliminate them by adopting the salt water technique.
Other tips for cleaning strawberries before eating them
Everyone agrees that fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly cleaned before consumption. Firstly, because they can be contaminated during collection and even during transport by microorganisms, germs or bacteria. They can also be affected by harmful pesticides. To consume them safely, it is best to adopt these additional tips beforehand.
– Vinegar, a great ally for washing fruits like strawberries
Vinegar for washing strawberries – Source: spm
To enjoy your strawberries with peace of mind, choose to wash them with fresh water mixed with white vinegar. In a container or salad bowl, pour the equivalent of a tablespoon of white vinegar. Dip some strawberries into it, stirring them lightly. Let it sit for a few seconds and then rinse your fruit before placing it on absorbent paper or a clean kitchen towel. It is recommended not to leave the strawberries in the water with vinegar for too long so that they do not soften.
– Baking soda, a natural detergent that also cleans strawberries
To remove dirt and bacteria, as well as pesticides on your fruit, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl of cold water. Then, mix this ingredient together before dipping small handfuls of strawberries into it. Then rinse to remove any residue in the sink.
– Lemon juice, a natural mixture to wash the strawberries well
Lemon and strawberry – Source: spm
If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar on hand, you can opt for lemon juice. Sort your strawberries beforehand and rinse them under tap water. Next, prepare your lemon juice and pour it over your berries. It may not even be rinsed a second time.
The truth is that it takes much more than a powerful jet of water to wash strawberries well. To enjoy this fruit safely, choose one of the simple and practical methods explained above.