If you enjoy eating fresh fruit at home, there is one simple storage hack that could help you avoid harmful mould and pesticides hiding in your berries.
According to Mike, a chef from Detroit 75 Kitchen (@detroit75kitchen), simply rinsing fruit with water is insufficient because pesticides may still linger.
He claimed: “This is the best way to clean your berries to wash off outside pesticides and prevent moulding.”
In a video that has garnered more than 26,000 likes on TikTok, Mike demonstrated a more effective method for cleaning berries, emphasising its importance, especially for families with children.
“This is how you’re supposed to wash your berries to get rid of mould and pesticides,” he said. “This is a must-learn, especially if you have kids at home.”
He recommended adding a capful of white vinegar to a bowl of cold water and soaking the berries in this solution for about 15 minutes.
After soaking, the berries should be rinsed quickly and placed on a towel to dry.
Viewers shared mixed reactions, with some experiencing issues with the fruit becoming mushy.
Mike advised adjusting the soaking time based on the fruit type, suggesting a shorter soak of seven to ten minutes for certain berries.
For those who can’t use vinegar due to allergies, Mike also mentioned that baking soda is a viable alternative.
He noted that while vinegar, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar are all effective, they each offer a slightly different approach to cleaning fruit.
Another commenter enquired: “What if I don’t like vinegar smell?? any alternatives??”
The chef simply reiterated: “Baking soda!”
