Find out why you need to scrub produce like potatoes and carrots. Learn how a vegetable brush helps remove stubborn dirt and residues from firm skins.
1 Answer
Scrubbing produce like potatoes removes dirt, pesticides, and bacteria from the skin, ensuring a cleaner and safer eating experience. This is especially important if you plan to eat the skin.
Detailed Explanation:
Many fruits and vegetables, particularly root vegetables like potatoes, grow in or close to the soil. This means they can accumulate dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms. Even if produce appears clean, it may still harbor pesticide residues or bacteria. Simply rinsing under water may not be sufficient to remove these contaminants. Scrubbing with a brush helps to physically dislodge these particles from the surface, significantly reducing the risk of ingesting harmful substances. For produce with thicker skins, like potatoes, scrubbing is especially crucial as the textured surface provides more places for dirt and bacteria to hide. Eating unwashed or poorly washed produce can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Pro Tip:
Use a dedicated vegetable brush for scrubbing produce. Avoid using the same brush you use for dishes, as it may harbor different types of bacteria.