People who place a high value on their
health know how important it is to wash their food thoroughly well.
While the process is simple - turning on a faucet and rinsing your food,
there are a few nuances that are essential for you to remember. Below
are 9 products we wash incorrectly:
1. Frozen fruits and veggies
While frozen fruits and vegetables tend to
save us more time in the kitchen - no chopping required - before
freezing, vegetables are washed with water. However, most people do not
wash frozen products before using them, which is fine if they are being
cooked at a high temperature. But for al dente vegetables, they should
be washed thoroughly to get rid of the dirt and bacteria.
2. Rice
Rice, particularly long grain rice, should be rinsed 3 to 4 times before
cooking. The main danger lies not in the dust but in the starch
covering rice. The starch is what causes the rice to clump together,
making it look unappetizing. Other starchy grains like corn or wheat
grains should be rinsed until the water runs clear.
3. Mussels and oysters
All seafood in shells, including mussels
and oysters, should be thoroughly rinsed - even if you buy the frozen
packet, as they are full of sand and grit.
4. Milk and dairy products
The packaging of milk, yogurt, and other liquids should all be washed
before opening. Thousands of customers touch these items, pick them up
and read the information on the labels. As soon as we open a bottle, the
bacteria from people who have previously handled the container can
easily be passed on.
5. Fish
Unless you are going to eat fish raw, there
is no need to wash it as high temperatures kill all bacteria. Furthermore,
if you rinse raw fish, there is a risk of spreading the bacteria all
around your kitchen. Bear in mind that after handling the fish, you
should wash your hands, the cutting board and the knife.
6. Cabbage
Cabbage must be washed thoroughly no matter what type of cabbage it is.
Cauliflower, which comes from the same family as the cabbage should be
cleaned well, in all its nooks. To cook red or white cabbage, remove the
upper two layers as they tend to hide dirt and dust. To get rid of bugs
and bacteria put the cabbage in the sink and fill with water, adding
some vinegar and leave for a couple of minutes. Then rinse with clean
water.
7. Canned beverages
Don't gulp a can of soda without washing it
or wiping it down first. Cans travel in dusty trucks and are handled by
many people. In fact, it's all the better if you pour the contents from
the can into a glass.
8. Lettuce
Greens are extremely tasty and healthy. But when preparing lettuce,
don't forget to rinse it first. To get rid of sand or dirt in the
leaves, you need to tear the lettuce and leave it to soak in cold water
for a couple of minutes. Once you take the lettuce out, place in a
colander or on a clean kitchen towel and let it dry.
9. Apples
Apples, like most fruits, need to be
thoroughly rinsed. Studies show that if you soak fruits in water and
baking soda for 12 minutes, the majority of the chemicals will be washed
away.