Washing strawberries: How to ensure safety from chemicals and bugs

How to properly wash strawberries? Many people believe that rinsing them is enough to make them clean. That's a myth! Simply pouring water over strawberries isn't sufficient to remove all microorganisms and chemicals. However, there are simple, homemade solutions that can help with this.

Strawberries are one of the most popular summer treats for Canadians. They taste great on their own, in a smoothie, or as a topping for ice cream. Many people also love cakes containing these delicious fruits. However, we often forget that eating strawberries from the bush or market can be risky.

Washing strawberries is a must. It's a matter of our safety and health. This is not just about getting rid of bacteria but also chemical contaminants. We often buy fruit from unknown sources without knowing the chemicals used during their cultivation. That's why cleaning them thoroughly is important, especially with children in mind.

Rinsing strawberries under the faucet may seem sufficient, but it's not! To effectively get rid of chemicals and microorganisms, stronger methods are needed. Fortunately, they can be prepared at home at a low cost.

Proper strawberry washing requires two solutions. The first one is an alkaline solution. To prepare it, simply add a teaspoon of baking soda to about 1 liter of cold water and mix well. Soak the strawberries in this solution for five minutes and then dry them on a paper towel. After completing this step, proceed to the next task.

Next, wash the strawberries in an acidic solution. To prepare it, simply combine water with a small amount of apple cider vinegar. Soak the fruits in this solution for another five minutes, and then rinse them under running water. In most cases, such preparation is sufficient for the strawberries to be consumed.

These steps will help get rid of chemicals and potential bugs. If we are concerned that insects might be present in the strawberries, it’s worth using an additional method. It's very simple.

Add a few tablespoons of salt to the water and soak the strawberries for a few minutes. After this process, rinse them thoroughly under running water, and you're done! This way, the strawberries will certainly taste great without any health concerns.