To effectively remove strawberry pesticide residues, using vinegar or drinking water is not always enough. Due to their fine skin and their proximity to the ground, they are indeed one of the most contaminated fruits. Fortunately, a particular method makes it possible to clean them in depth.
Treated strawberries, a threat to your health
Because they are fragile, cultivated at ground level, very sensitive to mold and insects, strawberries are regularly among the fruits most contaminated by pesticides. Result: their conventional culture often requires several chemical treatments.
“These residues, invisible to the naked eye, can remain the surface of the fruit, or even in part under the skin. However, even at very low dose, repeated exposure to pesticides is suspected of having harmful effects on health: hormonal disturbance, impact on the nervous, immune or reproductive system … Children and pregnant women are particularly sensitive”, Confirms Julie Boët, dietician-nutritionist.
To limit the risks, the first good reflex is to choose strawberries from organic farming.
“”Better still, favor local and seasonal strawberries, as they are often less treated when they are cultivated in good climatic conditions. Also favor French strawberries labeled (AB, Nature & Progress, etc.), and avoid as much as possible those imported from far away, often subject to different standards “, underlines the expert.
That said, a small cleaning is essential even when they are biological. And there, bad news: “A simple rinsing under tap water is not enough. This gesture removes only a small part of the surface residues “, warns the dietician.
Strawberries: How then to wash them effectively?
In the kingdom of natural “cleaners”, baking soda seems to be distinguished. It helps to eliminate pesticide residues without leaving traces or marked taste. It also preserves the flavor and natural texture of the strawberry.
“”But beware, however, of the baths based on vinegar or bicarbonate: if they can help, they are not the most effective on fat-soluble pesticides, that is to say those which cling to fats “, warns Julie Boët.
The most effective method? A water based on water and sodium bicarbonate (the one found in supermarkets, not fragrant).
“Mix a tablespoon of bicarbonate in a liter of water and let your strawberries soak in this mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse them carefully with clear water. This process acts as a natural chemical dislodger: bicarbonate neutralizes part of the residues, by slightly modifying the pH of the water and destabilizing certain components of the pesticides”, assures the nutritionist.
A crucial point: never remove the tails before washing. “Otherwise, the water and the residues it contains can penetrate the heart of the fruit. And do not let them soak too long, at the risk that they become soft and lose their taste”, warns the expert.
In summary, eating strawberries remains an excellent idea: rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and little calorie, they are among the most interesting fruits for health. But to take full advantage of their benefits, a bicarbonate bath is essential.