topic Re: Cleaning fresh berries in Kitchen

Cleaning fresh berries

JillyMarie — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:55:12 GMT

I just read this method of cleaning berries - has anyone ever washed/cleaned their soft fruit this way? Outcome?

Finally, here’s an old tip from the New York Times, for cleaning very soft fruit, specifically berries, that you might not want to rub: Put them in a hot bath. Essentially, you can put blueberries, strawberries, and the like in 140°F water for about 30 seconds, and it will kill any mold or bacteria on the skins without affecting the taste or the quality of the fruit. Simply dry it off and store it when you’re done. Not only will it be clean, but it'll last a lot longer in the fridge, as well!

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:36:27 GMT

This is a new way to me.

I've been doing the water and distilled vinegar bath for my berries. Then I spread them out on an old towel, or paper towels, and let them dry before storing them in glass mason jars. Glass storage extends the freshness of the berries too. Raspberries are rascals though. No matter what I do, they have to be eaten relatively soon after purchase as they just don't last long. The glass helps, but they need to be eaten within a week.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

ValuSkr — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:12:09 GMT

I've just been rinsing them in the sink! I didn't know that was bad.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:20:18 GMT

@JillyMarie I usually wash them in the hottest water that comes out of my tap, and then I rinse in cold water and dry on a paper towel. It just seemed like the thing to do after they've made the trip from the farm. I never knew they needed to be immersed for 30 seconds, but I'll try that from now on. If I'm freezing, I wait to wash them until I'm ready to use them.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Zoe — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:26:51 GMT

Interesting. Hadn't heard of this hot water method before. Might need to experiment & try it out.

The vinegar method wasn't for me. We do citric acid (or lemon wash) and glass storage. Bonus: You can use the citric acid solution to de-scale a kettle or such after washing the berries.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:32:05 GMT

A friend of mine uses baking soda and water.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

goldensrbest — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:40:12 GMT

I have tried hot water,with a small squirt of dawn.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

phoenixbrd — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:41:06 GMT

yes, and add a splash of vinegar

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

wagirl — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:49:06 GMT

I do the hot water rinse/bath for my berries too--

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

ruthbe — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:50:24 GMT

I was also told the baking soda and water

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

cindyNC — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:59:31 GMT

Just read an article online about washing fruits and vegetables. It even recommended rinsing off bananas prior to peeling them. Go figure. Wish I could remember where I read it.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Yahooey — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:00:46 GMT

i use cool water and a sprinkling of baking soda

let it sit for a while and rinse off with cool water

this is for my own homegrown tomatoes that have open wounds

skins splitting with too much rain

admittingly.... it is usally a quick rinse under running water if it looks okay

yes i know.... i can't see the ickies with the n@ked eye

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Nightowlz — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:38:32 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
Just read an article online about washing fruits and vegetables. It even recommended rinsing off bananas prior to peeling them. Go figure. Wish I could remember where I read it.

@cindyNC

Your also supposed to wash off watermelons etc before cutting into them to keep the bacteria out. I have never rinsed off a banana. I just peel it & eat it.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Nightowlz — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:37:43 GMT

I wash strawberries in a vinegar water solution when I get home from the store. I put them on towel to dry. Once dry I put a paper towel in the container they come in with the dry strawberries. I also cut the lid off the container so I can lay over the top. I find the strawberries last longer this way.

At thekitchn dot com site online shows she does the same but says she dries in salad spinner with paper towel. I will try this next year to see how it works out.

You can find the article with her experiment cleaning strawberries. Search The Very Best Way to Clean Strawberries at thekitchn dot com.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

ValuSkr — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 23:22:55 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
Just read an article online about washing fruits and vegetables. It even recommended rinsing off bananas prior to peeling them. Go figure. Wish I could remember where I read it.

@cindyNC I read that too about rinsing bananas but can't remember where; it may have been here. It seemed crazy, but since then I've started doing it after watching people in the store pick over banana bunches. They touch them all, feel how soft they are, and break-off bananas from a bunch. Sometimes I do it too!

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

LizzieInSRQ — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 23:57:24 GMT

I never ever wash berries until right before using them. I just rinse them.

I usually dont buy organic but i am now because i bougjt strawberries that tasted like nail polish remover. I googled this as i thought i was losing my mind. Sure enough, its "thing". Telltale sign of too much pesticide.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Mindy D — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 01:09:01 GMT

@Nightowlz @Does your husband still suffer from cluster headaches?

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Nightowlz — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 04:28:08 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@Nightowlz @Does your husband still suffer from cluster headaches?

@Mindy D

Thankfully No. I'm so glad he hasn't had one in years.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

Citrine1 — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 14:15:17 GMT

I just give mine a quick rinse under cold or room temperature water, dry them a bit and pop them into my mouth. And I'm still here to talk about it.

Re: Cleaning fresh berries

CelticCrafter — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:43:03 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
Just read an article online about washing fruits and vegetables. It even recommended rinsing off bananas prior to peeling them. Go figure. Wish I could remember where I read it.

@cindyNC I do because your hands are touching the peel and if you take the banana out of the peel to eat it who knows what was transferred to you hands.

I also wash citrus before either zesting it or peeling it.