Cleaning produce is a kitchen task that many people are inclined to overlook, but the professionals who insist it’s essential are not misleading. Your fruits and vegetables may harbor insects or microbes, either from the soil or during transportation to the grocery store. These hazards include E. coli, listeria, and salmonella, and according to the CDC, nearly half of food-related illnesses in the U.S. originate from fresh produce.
A thorough rinse is particularly crucial for fruits and vegetables with consumable peels, especially in the case of grapes. They are often listed on the Environmental Working Group‘s Dirty Dozen list of pesticide-heavy produce (raisins don’t fare well in this regard either). Fortunately, the simplest method to wash grapes is also the most effective, needing only one ingredient: water. All you need to do is wash your grapes under cold, running water for about 15 to 20 seconds, gently rubbing to dislodge any dirt that may be sticking. After that, just pat them dry.
You may have come across advice for more complex washing methods before, such as utilizing baking soda for cleaning grapes. While this is unlikely to harm you, it may not be entirely required. Let’s explore further best practices for presenting grapes at their cleanest.
Suggestions for maintaining grapes’ cleanliness and freshness
To begin with, here’s what to avoid: Refrain from using soaps or detergents to clean grapes (or any other produce). These substances could remain on the surface of the produce, and you wouldn’t want to consume them. Here’s what you should do before washing: Ensure your hands are sanitized and that any surfaces the produce will touch — like the kitchen sink — have also been adequately disinfected.
Concerning the previously mentioned baking soda solution, research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that this method is only marginally more effective than rinsing with water alone, so you can skip this step if you wish. However, if you choose to do it properly, it won’t harm you. (Generally, baking soda is an amazing cleaner with numerous other uses in the kitchen.) After combining a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of water, immerse the grapes and gently swirl them around before letting them soak for up to 15 minutes. Any longer, and the skin may start to break down. Then just rinse and dry as per usual.
Another important point to remember for grapes and other fragile fruits: Although you might feel tempted to wash them immediately upon returning home from the store, resist that impulse — any remaining moisture on their exterior will accelerate their spoilage. Instead, store them in the refrigerator unwashed. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy them, simply wash as many as you need. Now that your grapes are clean, check out our guide for washing various kinds of fruits and vegetables.
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