Washing & Storing Your Fruits/Vegetables Right

Happy International Fruits Day! Most of us consume at least one serving of fruits and/or vegetables on a daily basis – but do you know how much germs, pesticides and god-knows-what-else can be on them? We share with you how to wash and store your fruits and veggies the right way so that you wouldn’t have to suffer the much dreaded tummy aches.

Washing

Imagine this, fresh produce are transported in containers that aren’t washed, goes through many different pair of hands when transferred from cartons to the shelves, a cocktail of pesticide and wax is sprayed on them to extend their shelf life and shoppers pick them up, smell them all the time. Grossed out yet? We cannot emphasise how important it is to wash your fruits and veggies properly before consuming them.

Apples, pears and plums

Wash under running water for 15 seconds, the cold water can reduce up to 98% of the bacteria! Don’t wash the fruit for too long though, otherwise it will damage the natural protective layer around the products and lose important vitamins. Most vitamins of these fruits are embedded in the skin so instead of peeling the fruit, wash it thoroughly and consume it with its skin.

Berries and grapes

Soft fruits such as these produce should be washed carefully by soaking them in water instead of washing them under running water as dirt can be stuck in the smallest corners. Soak and rinse a couple of times to ensure cleanliness.

TIP: Consume your fruits right after washing them ’cause bacteria loves to multiply in damp surroundings.

Melons, mangoes, papayas and avocados

Even if you don’t eat the skin of some fruits and vegetables, the germs and pesticides can reach the fruit pulp while peeling and cutting them through the blade or our hands. So make sure to rinse the skin under warm water before any preparation!

Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes

Root veggies require more time when it comes to cleaning them ’cause they literally have loads of dirt on them, just check out the photo above. Brush away the dirt on the vegetables with a brush, wash the produce, peel them and then wash again. Though some of these veggies may look clean in the supermarket’s package, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

TIP: Always wash pre-packed salads that are labelled “washed and ready to eat”! Pre-washed salads are often full of yeasts and mildew, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

EXTRA TIP: Acidic salad dressings can have disinfectant effects!

Storing

Ever felt like the fruits and vegetables you just bought go bad overnight and you’re throwing out more produce than actually eating them? If all that sounds familiar then you might be storing them the wrong way. Check out the guide for better fruit and vegetable storage techniques below so that you can say bye bye to frustrating spoilt produce!