Saed News: The Method of Washing Strawberries Is Very Important. Strawberries Are Fruits Rich In Vitamins, Minerals, And Powerful Antioxidants. With Their Pleasant And Sweet Taste, Strawberries Are Very Popular Worldwide And Are Available As A Seasonal Fruit In Summer.
According to the Family Service of Saed News, in the following article from Saed News, you will become familiar with the correct methods of washing strawberries.
Cleaning and properly washing strawberries has various benefits. Below are some of these advantages:
Maintaining Health: Microbes, fungi, and pests exist on strawberries. By cleaning them, these contaminants can be minimized, reducing the risk of diseases.
Removing Chemicals: Strawberries may come into contact with different chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and many other chemicals during their growth and production process. Cleaning strawberries can help remove some of these chemicals.
Improving Appearance and Taste: Cleaner and purer strawberries often have a shiny and beautiful appearance. Also, removing contaminants can improve their taste and quality.
Preserving Shelf Life: Cleaning strawberries can help extend their storage time. By removing water and residues on the surface, early fermentation can be delayed, guaranteeing longer freshness.
Before washing strawberries, you should pay attention to a few important points mentioned below:
Do not wash strawberries before you intend to use them. Strawberries have a sponge-like quality that causes them to absorb moisture quickly. If you wash them ahead of time and then refrigerate, they will spoil faster.
Discard any moldy strawberries. You should not eat these as they can cause illness. Also, placing moldy strawberries with fresh ones may cause mold to spread.
Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergents, or commercial cleaning products is not recommended.
Wash your hands before handling any fruit to prevent transferring microbes to the food you intend to eat.
Typically, the best method is the one that removes contaminants and toxins from the surface of strawberries more thoroughly. One important point in washing and disinfecting strawberries is to avoid using any detergents because, due to the strawberry’s texture, detergents can penetrate the fruit and then be ingested. Below, we teach you the best methods for washing strawberries:
1- Washing Strawberries in the Sink with Plain Water (Method One)
Remove any bad or spoiled strawberries separately. Wash them just before use since strawberries absorb water quickly, which causes spoilage.
Discard bruised, soft, rotten, or unripe strawberries and keep the large, deep-red ones. Do not remove the stem before washing because strawberries absorb water through the stem.
Place the strawberries in a large clean container. You don't have to soak them; rinsing under clean running water is enough.
Gently move them with your hands to ensure all are washed, then place them in a bowl of cold water.
Hold a few strawberries in your hand and wash them quickly under running water instead of soaking them.
Dry strawberries immediately. If they stay wet, the seeds quickly deteriorate. Even if dry, strawberries absorb water and lose sweetness.
Let them drain in a colander for a minute. Dry them with a paper towel carefully without damaging the fruit.
2- Washing Strawberries with Water and Vinegar (Method Two)
If the strawberries you purchased are greenhouse-grown, they have likely been exposed to pesticides and chemicals before ripening. Soaking strawberries in a water and vinegar solution can help remove these toxins effectively.
Pour one bowl of vinegar into the sink and add four bowls of water. Soak the strawberries in this mixture for 20 minutes, then rinse them with cold water.
3- Washing Strawberries with Baking Soda (Method Three)
Another good method is using the disinfecting properties of baking soda. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 4 cups of water. Soak the strawberries in this solution for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water.
4- Washing Strawberries with Water and Salt (Method Four)
Salt is one of the best natural disinfectants. Many believe that washing strawberries with salt is very effective. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in each cup of water (prepare as much solution as needed for the strawberries).
Soak the strawberries in the saltwater for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and dry. Make sure strawberries are fully submerged to be cleaned and disinfected. Some recipes say to soak only 5 minutes to avoid saltiness, but for disinfection, it's recommended to soak until they don’t taste bad.
Saltwater can remove microbes and small worms inside the strawberries. Salt disinfects the surface and removes pesticides and toxins.
5- Using Plant-Based Cleaners to Wash Strawberries
You can buy plant-based cleaners at most supermarkets. Fill half of a clean basin or sink with cold water, add 2 ounces of the plant-based cleaner, shake well, then immerse the strawberries briefly and remove them after a few seconds. Dry with a towel without pressing the fruit.
Strawberries have many therapeutic properties in traditional medicine and health benefits, but they are exposed to many pesticides and chemicals, so washing thoroughly before consumption is essential to preserve these benefits.
Most strawberries on the market are not organic and are exposed to various chemicals until fruiting.
Statistics show strawberries are more contaminated with pesticides than any other fruit. Washing with cold water alone removes only 75-80% of pesticides, so proper washing methods are necessary.
Also, washed strawberries can harbor bacteria and tiny insects that only correct washing can remove. So, take cleaning seriously and use the right method.
The U.S. FDA always recommends not washing fruits or vegetables with detergents or even cleaners designed for washing produce. Residues of these cleaners on fruits and vegetables are harmful to health. If you use disinfectant solutions for washing, rinse strawberries several times with plenty of cold water afterward.
Always wash your hands before eating strawberries so your efforts in washing fruit aren’t wasted.
It’s better to wash strawberries right before eating. Washing and refrigerating them causes dampness and early spoilage.
Discard soft or damaged strawberries because they can spoil the others.
Don’t remove the strawberry cap or stem before washing as it allows water to enter and softens the fruit.
Do not eat moldy strawberries because mold penetrates the whole fruit and cutting the moldy part does not clean it.
If not consuming immediately, store unwashed strawberries in a closed container in the fridge.
Since strawberries are eaten without peeling or scratching the surface, they must be disinfected well before consumption or making smoothies or syrups.
To store washed strawberries, place them in an open container covered with a paper towel to prevent moisture buildup. Washed strawberries can last 3 to 7 days if fresh.
For longer storage, freeze strawberries for 6 to 12 months (do you know the proper freezing methods?).
Always dry strawberries well before refrigerating.
Never press or squeeze strawberries while washing as it damages the fruit’s tissue and accelerates spoilage.
Here are several storage methods:
Place strawberries in a glass or food storage container.
Place unwashed strawberries on a paper towel inside a food container in the fridge.
Wash with vinegar, dry, and place on a clean paper towel inside a glass container.
Freeze the strawberries.
Properly stored strawberries last 5 to 7 days in the fridge. However, moisture and mold shorten this period. One moldy strawberry can spoil the whole batch quickly.
FDA and CDC do not recommend using commercial soaps or detergents for cleaning fruits. These cleansers can remain on berries and cause illness.
What is the best method to clean and wash strawberries?
The best method involves using salt, vinegar, or baking soda dissolved in water for washing and disinfecting strawberries.
How to wash strawberries using salt?
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of water and prepare enough solution for your strawberries. Soak them for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and dry.
How to get rid of worms in strawberries?
If worms are present, soak strawberries for 10 minutes in a mixture of water, salt, and vinegar, then rinse well with cold water. This removes worms and their eggs.
How to wash strawberries to prevent viral infections like COVID-19?
Washing strawberries in salt water, baking soda, vinegar, or specialized produce cleaners disinfects them well, allowing safe consumption without fear of contamination.
Can strawberries be washed with dishwashing liquid?
Never use dish soap, body soap, or detergents on strawberries. These damage the fruit’s texture, cause spoilage, and are harmful to health.
How long do washed strawberries last?
If properly stored, washed strawberries remain fresh for 5 to 7 days. Moisture and contamination shorten this time. To extend shelf life, dry them well and wrap in a dry cloth or paper before placing in a sealed container. The cloth absorbs excess moisture.
