If you're looking for a natural way to clean your fruit in a few basic steps, keep reading! This post provides a step-by-step guide on how to easily clean and meal prep fresh produce to make it last longer in the refrigerator.
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Why You Should Clean Fruit
It's important to wash produce because it has been touched by dirty hands during processing and at the grocery store. Produce can have harmful bacteria, dirt, or even mold spores on the outside!
The acidity of vinegar is a safe and natural method to clean your produce. Using a simple vinegar wash is inexpensive, easy, and it works great!
And the best part is, it will extend the life of your berries and produce!
Organic Produce
Organic produce can be on the pricier side, but I use the Environmental Working Group's yearly list called the Dirty Dozen when determining if it's worth getting organic or not.
The list has fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amount of pesticide residue from greatest to least. I always buy organic strawberries, organic blueberries, and organic apples because they are all at the top of the Dirty Dozen list.
EWG also provides a list called The Clean Fifteen that shows fruits and vegetables that are safe to purchase nonorganic. This list of produce contains very low or no trace of pesticides. Some clean fruits on this list are pineapple, mango, and watermelon!
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Filtered Water - It's important to use filtered water and not tap water to ensure that the water is clean and not contaminated. (I use a Aquasana Under Sink Water Filter.)
- Apple Cider Vinegar - You can also swap for white vinegar.
- Fresh Fruit - You can use any fresh fruit that you would like to wash.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar Wash
Start by adding about 4 cups of water into a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Stir together with a spoon.
Step 2: Soak Fruit
Then add the fresh fruit, stir around, and let soak for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse Fruit
Pour the vinegar water out of the bowl and give the fruit a quick rinse with fresh water. For best results, use a strainer.
Expert Tips
- Use cool water when soaking the produce to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Double the recipe if you're cleaning larger fruit like apples or larger amounts of fruit.
- Do not mix berries in one bowl unless you are planning to store them together. Soak in separate bowls or in shifts.
- If you're planning to use the same bowl to clean more than one container of fruit, make sure you rinse the bowl out before adding in fresh water.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use this method with berries, apples, or any fruit that does not have inedible rinds. For example, I do not wash bananas or oranges.
No! You will not taste the vinegar on your fruit or vegetables.
Yes, you can use this simple cleaning process with all produce! Use it with anything that has an edible peel like bell peppers or tomatoes.
Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid which is the main active compound. Vinegar can kill bacteria and it has been shown to help preserve food.
How To Store Clean Produce
After the fruit has been soaked and rinsed under cold water, place it on a clean cloth to air dry. You can also carefully pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Store the fruit in a paper towel lined airtight container in the refrigerator. The paper towel will absorb any excess liquid.
Recipes You'll Love with Fresh Fruit!
After you give this Vinegar Wash a try, make sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
Recipe Card
Easy Vinegar Fruit Wash
Equipment
- 1 Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Filtered Water
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Pound Fresh Fruit
Instructions
- Start by adding about 4 cups of filtered water into a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Stir together with a spoon.
- Then add the fresh fruit, stir around, and let soak for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the vinegar water out of the bowl and give the fruit a quick rinse with fresh water. For best results, use a strainer.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Use cool water when soaking the produce to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Double the recipe if you're cleaning larger fruit like apples or larger amounts of fruit.
- Do not mix berries in one bowl unless you are planning to store them together. Soak in separate bowls or in shifts.
- If you're planning to use the same bowl to clean more than one container of fruit, make sure you rinse the bowl out before adding in fresh water.
Nutrition
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