With the approximation of summer, strawberries become a usual presence at market stalls and dessert dishes. Hot season favors its consumption, but also raises concerns about proper fruit hygiene, especially taking into account the intensive use of pesticides in agricultural production.
As temperatures rise, the need for care in cleaning fresh foods becomes even more important, avoiding the intake of chemical residues and microorganisms.
Investigations point out more effective solutions
According to the Cuerpomenta website, researchers from the South Korea toxicology Institute published, in 2023, a study in the scientific journal, which evaluated various methods for washing fruits of the season, such as strawberries.
According to the same source, the study aimed to find simple and affordable ways to reduce the presence of pesticides, viruses and bacteria in fresh fruits.
The role of vinegar in waste removal
The method considered most effective by researchers is to use a 3% vinegar water solution, which is equivalent to 30 ml vinegar per liter of water.
Writes the site that this solution was able to eliminate up to 48.7% of pesticide residues detected on the surface of the strawberries.
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Tests with salt and green tea also gave results
The publication states that other mixtures were also tried. The combination of water with 3% salt allowed to remove 45.7% of waste, while diluted green tea removed 38.9%.
Although all tested solutions show some effectiveness, vinegar proved to be the most consistent in the elimination of surface chemicals.
Steps to the following for a safe wash
To apply this technique at home, simply fill a glass of water at room temperature, add vinegar at the recommended proportion and dive the strawberries for at least two minutes.
After the vinegar remnant, strawberries should be well drained and dried with kitchen paper or a clean cloth before being stored or consumed.
Effective cleaning, but with limitations
Although these washes significantly reduce waste on the surface of the fruits, the investigation points out that they do not fully eliminate pesticides, as some compounds can be absorbed by fruit pulp.
According to the same source, a way to circumvent this problem is the choice of strawberries from biological agriculture, which dispense with the use of synthetic pesticides.
A simple routine for summer
At a time when fresh fruits consumption increases and food safety concerns become more evident, this method represents a practical and effective option for improving the hygiene of raw foods.
Adapting washing habits in the light of scientific evidence can be a simple gesture, but with a direct impact on consumers’ health and well-being.
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