Can I use apple cider vinegar to clean strawberries?

Strawberries are a fruit that can be used for both quick snacks and to dress up desserts. But it’s crucial to thoroughly clean the well-known berry before you start munching on a few.

Strawberry tops the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) list of the “Dirty Dozen” each year. Because strawberries ranked first, they have higher pesticide levels than other fruits and vegetables.

According to Andrea Mathis, MA, RDN, LD, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Beautiful Eats, “most people are unaware that strawberries have sponge-like abilities, meaning they can easily absorb pesticides and bacteria.” It is crucial to wash your strawberries before eating them in order to remove any of these potentially harmful elements. “.

Strawberries can be cleaned and made safe to eat by soaking them in a vinegar solution or a saltwater bath to get rid of dirt, pesticides, and bacteria.

Purchasing Tips

First, it’s crucial to note that a bad batch of berries will always be a bad batch of berries, regardless of how you clean, wash, and store them.

If the berries are already bad or exhibit signs of mushiness and mold, no amount of washing, cleaning, or storing will stop what will eventually happen.

What to look for when buying strawberries

Bright Red Color: The strawberries shouldn’t be white (unless you’re buying Pineberries), brown, or any other discoloration.

Shiny: Fresh berries should have a vibrant shine. (Blueberries, on the other hand, should have a cloudy film on the exterior.)

Mold Free: One or two berries with mold is not awful, but the mold spores can travel to other berries and cause the berries to rot faster.

Firm: There shouldn’t be any soft spots on the berries, or any berries secreting juice.

Flip the Carton Over: Gently flip the carton over, looking at all berries to ensure none are smashed or have mold growth.

Are you supposed to wash strawberries?

You should always wash strawberries before eating them because they are one of the fruits with the highest concentration of pesticide residue. Although organic strawberries are preferable, you should still wash them first.

An annual report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that strawberries have the highest levels of pesticide contamination amongst produce. According to Medicine Net, the report tested 36,000 samples of 48 types of “conventionally grown” strawberries. The findings showed nearly 70 percent of strawberries to contain pesticide residues — and at least 20 different pesticides at that. Strawberries have the highest pesticide numbers because of a farming process called fumigation, which destroys nearly everything in the soil in which the strawberries are planted.

So, does a washing do the trick? It does. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) estimates that washing produce in cold water removes between 75 and 80 percent of pesticide residues. Article continues below advertisement.

Washing Fruits & Vegetables using Apple Cider Vinegar & Baking Soda to Remove Bacteria & Pesticides