4 SIMPLE WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR FRUITS

When driving through the Rift Valley, you're likely to come to the Molo junction, about an hour past Nakuru. Be careful as you slow down at the bumps, because you'll have roasted maize, carrots, passion fruits, beetroots and veggies shoved into your car window by over enthusiastic vendors. If you just take a glance at the succulent produce, it becomes difficult (if not impossible) to ignore them. The little drops of water on the shinny peel,
the rich pigmentation, the aroma of mother nature's gifts... But one day I had the unfortunate opportunity to see the vendors washing the this produce in a nearby stream. Let's just say, they've lost a customer. So how clean are your fruits? Let's consider 4 basic, but effective, ways to sanitise before taking the bite.

1. Clean Fresh Water

This is how I wash fruits in general, under a running tap. However, this is only for the fruits whose
peel is discarded like Oranges and Water melons (although my husband eats the watermelon peel!) I think Nairobi Water does a good job with its water treatment. I have occasionally drank straight from the tap, but that's still very rare.

2. Salt Solution
Put water into a large enough bowl. Fill halfway with water and add about 2 teaspoons of salt. Stir to dissolve. Dip the fruits and allow to soak for 5 minutes. The idea of using salty water to wash edibles is not new to many. However due to osmosis, you are advised to rinse thoroughly in fresh water (which takes us back to #1). This is a good way to wash fruits like mangoes, apples, pears, plums and berries. These are fruits with edible skins.

3. Vinegar Water
Put 3 cups of water in a bowl, add 1 cup of vinegar. Stir. Place the fruits and soak for 5 minutes or longer. Just as #2 above, this is to be followed with a thorough rinse in fresh water. This works well for fruits with edible skins like apples, peaches, plums and berries. Like brine, vinegar helps disinfect against bacteria. And since it could also alter the taste of the fruit, it's wise to wash off.

4. Commercial Cleaner
I have to say, I've had no issues washing fruits the old fashioned way, but it's good to know that there are other smart ways to clean fruits. If you go to any Zucchini outlet you will find that they have a commercial produce cleaner. How about that? Rather than using this at home, I would carry this the next time am on a road trip. How convenient!

Image: Zucchini

Tulip Tip: To preserve or to extend your strawberries' shelf-life, do not pluck out the leaves and do not take them out of their 'smart' storage container, which allows them to "breath". Leave them here until the very moment you want to eat them and wash only the ones you intend to consume. Secondly, when a fruit begins to show signs of rotting, get rid of it, as it will spoil the others. More on that on another post!

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