If you’re like many other people in the world, you probably love a bunch of fresh grapes, ranging between green, red and purple varieties. Not only do these fruits taste delicious, but they are good for you, too. The skins of grapes contain resveratrol that is responsible for lowering bad cholesterol and protecting against tumors and viruses. Grapes are also known to have anti-aging benefits, as well as heart benefits and maintaining a healthy weight.
Yet before you begin eating a bunch of grapes, there is one thing to consider. Washing fruits and vegetables is an important component before eating, and grapes are no exception. Fortunately, there is an easy and effective way to wash these healthy fruits so you can be confident that you and your family are eating nothing more but a clean, fresh grape.
The Importance of Washing Grapes
Often times produce looks fresh and clean in the supermarket, so people return home, give the grapes a quick rinse and begin eating them. Unfortunately, before those grapes reach your mouth, they have been handled by many different people and a simple rinse will not be effective. Also, grapes are subject to pesticides and debris that occur from soil, dirt and other types of debris. Not only can this debris be picked up while the grapes are picked, but they can picked up on their travels to the supermarket. For these reasons, it’s essential that you wash the grapes you bring home from the market thoroughly.
Washing Grapes with Tap Water
To begin washing the grapes, pick the grapes from the cluster and place them in a bowl or colander. A colander is best so that the grapes don’t fall into the sink. Using tap water, simply rinse the grapes off thoroughly until you have removed excess dirt and debris and the grapes look clean. To add more power to the rinsing, use a water sprayer if you have one attached to your faucet. This will give more pressure and help rinse off sticky residue. Make sure to rotate and swish the grapes around so that each one gets a thorough cleaning. In fact, you can pick up each grape and gently roll it in your hand to ensure that it gets a full clean.
There is some debate about whether or not to use a mild detergent when washing grapes. Experts agree that running grapes under water is just as effective as adding any type of commercial produce cleaner or soap. In addition, using dish detergent runs the risk of ingesting residue that leaked into the skin of grapes, as soap is not meant for human consumption. If however, you want to use soap, be sure to use one that is non-toxic and safe if swallowed. You can then add a few drops of the dish detergent while washing the grapes, being sure to wash and rinse several times.
Checking the Grapes for Cleanliness
Now that the hard work is done, it’s time to test your grapes to make sure they are clean and ready to eat. Pick up several grapes and make sure that the skin is soft and smooth, not sticky like after a regular rinse or when the grapes first make it home from the supermarket. You can also use a paper towel to dry off the grapes and make sure the dirt and debris are gone. Serve the grapes immediately or store them away in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Although this process may take more time that giving the grapes a quick rinse, you know that you are only serving your family fresh produce that is free of germs, bacteria and pesticides.
Can you use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to wash the grapes ?