7 Foods You Should Never Wash Before Cooking or Eating
The notions of hygiene that we were taught in our childhood influence our relationship to cleaning our food before cooking it. But did you know that some foods should never be cleaned before being prepared and consumed? Washing certain foods leads to the spread of bacteria or can, at least, cause them to lose all flavor.
1 – CHICKEN
The best way to remove microbes and bacteria from chicken meat is not to wash it; quite the contrary! In doing so, we simply risk spreading said bacteria throughout the chicken and on its hands, at the same time.
Instead, chefs recommend cooking the chicken twice: you cook it in very hot water, then as soon as the water starts to boil again, you change it and continue cooking the chicken in a new water.
2 – THE FISH
Washing raw fish will not eliminate the bacteria, as with chicken it will scatter the bacteria all over the place.
3 – EGGS
Did you know that eggs are generally covered in a film that protects them from bacteria? This is why we do not recommend washing them. The protection could then lose its effectiveness!
4 – MUSHROOMS
Washing mushrooms in water is a very bad idea. Indeed, these small foods absorb moisture quickly and they can quickly lose their taste if they are washed for too long.
The solution ? Simply rinse them very briefly then clean them directly using a clean cloth.
5 – RAW MEAT IN GENERAL
Same principle as with chicken: some people rinse the meat to eliminate germs, which ultimately has the opposite effect. Washing this fresh product with water will encourage microbial proliferation. In a pinch, you can use pure paper towels to remove the juices from the raw meat in the package, but that’s it. Otherwise, the precautions will be the same as with poultry (proper cooking and washing your hands well). Let’s also remember in passing that to defrost meat, you should not rinse it with cold or hot water or bring it to room temperature. For food safety reasons, these frozen foods should be left in the refrigerator for several hours. Just plan ahead for effective defrosting!
6 – PASTA
It seems strange to tell someone they should wash pasta. Chefs around the world believe that this is a crime, because because of the water, the product loses starch and this substance is precisely what makes the sauce soak up well.
You can wash the pasta only after cooking but nothing more, in case you want to make a salad or Asian noodles, by sautéing them.
7 – THE AVOCADO: NO NEED TO WASH IT THANKS TO HIS SKIN
The risk of pesticide on avocado is lower because this fiber-rich and satiating fruit is protected by a very thick skin. The part consumed and cooked is under the skin which will be peeled so there is no need to wash it. In addition, the avocado is a fruit which blackens quickly if water gets inside it risks accelerating this stage.