There could be dirt, bacteria, or pesticides hiding on the skin of your apples, even if they appear pristine and glossy. Whether you purchased apples from the grocery store or picked them yourself from a nearby orchard, knowing how to properly clean them is crucial to making sure they are safe to consume.
The Dirty Dozen includes apples, but be aware that even organic apples may contain organic pesticides. Just as you would with conventionally cultivated produce, be sure to clean organic apples. To find out more about the best ways to clean apples, continue reading.
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Considerations Before You Get Started
Before storing apples, you can remove any obvious dirt, but it makes no sense to wash them until you’re ready to consume or cook with them. Store apples as is until you’re ready to eat them or use them in apple recipes because washing them with water actually speeds up their rotting and deterioration.
Additionally, the USDA and FDA advise against washing your food with soap, despite the fact that those bubbles could seem comforting. Your apples will absorb some soap residue even if you give them a thorough rinse afterward, and the majority of soaps contain chemicals that are unsafe for consumption. Instead, use water, either by itself or in combination with baking soda or vinegar.
How to Use Vinegar or Baking Soda to Clean Apples
Clean Surface and Hands
Before washing your apples, wash your hands, the cutting board, the counter, and any other instruments. Your fruit should not be exposed to any dust or grime.
Make Vinegar Spray or Baking Soda Soak
You can use baking soda to clean almost anything, including apples.
- Fill a large basin with 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of water to make a baking soda soak.
- In a spray bottle, combine 1/3 cup vinegar and 1 cup water to create a vinegar spray. Use apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar, then squeeze in a tablespoon of lemon juice to balance the vinegar flavor.
Apples can be soaked for fifteen minutes or sprayed
Soak the apples in the baking soda solution for fifteen minutes if you’re using it. Alternately, use a fresh dishcloth to wipe the apples off right away after spraying them with the vinegar solution.
Use a Produce Brush to Scrub
Many of the bacteria and dirt on an apple can be removed using a vegetable brush and tap water, and the brush works better than the water alone. Use a clean produce brush to gently brush each apple after soaking.
Rinse the apples well
Rinse each apple under water to remove any leftover vinegar or baking soda.
As an extra precaution, peel the apples
The majority of the problem can be resolved by just removing the apple peel because most pesticides and other toxins stay on it. Naturally, some of the vitamins and minerals found in the peel will also be lost, so it might be wiser to use one of the alternative apple-cleaning techniques.
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