How to Clean Each Type of Produce

Berries
Photo by Timo Volz on Unsplash

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just prefer to snack on fruits and veggies once in a while, it’s important to take the time to wash your produce before you eat it. Organic or conventional, fruits and vegetables almost always need to be cleaned in order to remove any residual dirt, insects, or chemical sprays that may be on them. Not all produce is created equal, however, and it’s best to use cleaning methods that can help you get the most out of all of the produce that you buy. To help you know what’s what, we’ve written a little guide on how to clean each type.

Leafy Greens & Herbs

Cleaning vegetables like spinach, kale, and basil can be tricky because wetting the leaves can cause them to become soggy and with an unsuitable texture for dishes such as salads. We recommend cutting or tearing leaves into bite-sized pieces, running them under some water, and then using a salad spinner to remove excess water. Store in an air-tight container lined with a paper towel to prolong shelf-life.

Berries & Other Delicate Produce

All you need to do to clean produce like berries that have a tendency to fall apart or become mushy is to place them in a colander and run them under cool water. This removes any excess dirt while keeping the fruit intact. After washing, place them on a clean towel to dry.

Produce With Skin

There are several ways to go about washing produce like apples or zucchini that have firmer skin. You can spray them with a produce wash and gently scrub with a brush or soak them in a 3-1 mixture of water and vinegar for at least 10 minutes to remove any waxy residues and kill bacteria.