Cleaning Produce

Do you really need to buy an expensive fruit and vegetable wash? No, is the answer from Cook's Illustrated. In tests performed by Cooks Illustrated a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part white vinegar was just as effective as expensive products. All you need to do is spray the produce and rinse with water. This method removed 98 percent of surface bacteria on smooth-surfaced produce, like apples and pears. For delicate fruit, like berries, fill a bowl with 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Drain, rinse with water, and then spin dry in a salad spinner lined with paper towels. It is also a good idea to wash produce that has inedible peels because your knife still cuts through the peel and spreads any contamination throughout the part of the fruit you will be eating.