When should you wash strawberries?

Before you begin popping thoseplump strawberriesinto your mouth, you’re gonna wanna clean them.

Why Clean Strawberries?

strawberries in a bowl of water

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Even organic berry growers use chemicals to keep pests away from soft berries.

Keep these tips in mind.

Squishy berries may harbor mold, bugs, and bacteria.

rinsing strawberries in a colander

Credit: Courtney West / Southern Living

The berries will mold faster if damaged, and the mold can quickly spread to nearby strawberries.

Wait To Wash Until Before You Eat

Strawberries are absorbent.

Water invites mold and decays delicate fruits.

rinsing strawberries in water and vinegar

Credit: Courtney West / Southern Living

Whenever possible, don’t wash your berries until immediately before you plan to eat or cook with them.

You must remove as much water as possible.

These products can leave behind more chemicals than you’re removing.

strawberries in bowl of water with baking soda

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But remember, strawberries taste best at room temperature, so let them warm up before serving.

It’s also the fastest.

One study found baking soda was more effective in removing surface pesticides when compared to tap water or bleach.

a bowl of strawberries in water with salt

Credit: Courtney West / Southern Living

They grow in the soil, and bugs are around.

it’s possible for you to add more chemicals to the fruit using soaps or detergents.

Strawberries should be storedin the crisper drawer when you bring them home.

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/7-tips-cleaning-fruits-vegetables

EWGs 2024 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

March 20, 2024.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Pesticide Data Program | Agricultural Marketing Service.

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.Pesticide residue monitoring program questions and answers, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Washing Food: Does it Promote Food Safety?USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Updated Feb. 7, 2024.

Balkan, T., Ylmaz, O.Efficacy of some washing solutions for removal of pesticide residues in lettuce.

Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci 11, 143 (2022).

Yang, T., Doherty J., Zhou, B.,et al.

  1. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03118.

Selecting and storing food safely.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

The 2024 Dirty Dozen List.