What is the best method for cleaning produce - soaking or rinsing? There are various opinions to this question. Some say soaking is best, while others say a combination of soaking and rinsing, and then there are those who say rinsing is the most thorough method.
In my research, as well as in talking with a food safety, nutrition and family well-being scientist, it seems as if soaking and finishing up with a rinse is the preferred method. Due to the amount of pesticides used to treat our food, it is advisable to change the water if washing large amounts of produce. Although you might not want to nourish your garden with water that may contain pesticides, you can always use leftover water from the set to rinse out your recyclables.
For those who believe that rinsing is the best method for cleaning produce, you can still use the set. Simply hold the colander over the bowl while washing your fruits and vegetables. Water collects in the bowl where it can be reused.
What if I buy organic produce, do I still have to change the water?
I haven’t been able to gather enough information to give a precise answer to
that question. I was told by a food
safety expert that a study has not been performed to analyze reusing water when
soaking either non-organic or organic produce.
If you know the farm you’re purchasing produce from and are convinced the food is 100% organic, logic tells you should be able to reuse the water. Err on the side of caution though, if you aren’t sure about the farm change the water when washing fruits and vegetables.
The nutrients that remain in the water after washing your organic produce can certainly be used to water outdoor or household plants.
Please consult www.foodnews.org for a complete list of “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce”.
What's wrong with using a colander, bowl or my sink to wash produce?
Colanders - Colanders, or sieves, have been around for hundreds of years. They have proven themselves over time. The negative with just using a colander is that most people place it under running water. Water is needlessly wasted due to the inefficiency of this method.
Bowls - A bowl is one way some people use to conserve water. The disadvantage of using a bowl is that there is no way to drain the produce. The food may become soggy as it sits in the water. Bowls really aren't an efficient water-saving method.
Sink - The major disadvantage to using your sink for washing produce is the risk of cross-contamination. What if you didn't properly clean your sink after having rinsed raw chicken or fish? You won't have to worry about cross-contamination when using the colander/bowl set.
How much will the colander/bowl set cost?
That’s a good question. Having it made in North America means that it probably will be expensive, perhaps in the $40-$60 range. If the set is made in India or China, the cost will be lower, in the $25-$40 range. I definitely want the set to be stainless steel. Stainless steel is durable, long-lasting and won't leach, as some plastics do.
Where can I buy it?
Nowhere, at the moment. I've entered the set in a number of competitions and have been an exhibitor at two "green" trade shows. I am also looking into manufacturing possibilities too. I hope that next year, 2010, will be the year when the set will be available to purchase.
How much water does the colander/bowl set save?
Traditional Method of Washing Produce
Water was running from the faucet at a slow to moderate rate. It took 26 seconds to fill one quart of water.
- Two pounds of strawberries were put in the colander. The fruit was washed by picking up the strawberries and rubbing them to wash away dirt. It took 3 quarts 2 cups of water to wash the fruit.
- Not changing the flow of water, I cut the stems off the strawberries. An additional 3 quarts 1 1/3 cup of water was used in this process.
Colander/Bowl Set
- The bowl was filled with 2.5 quarts of water. The strawberries were placed inside the colander and the colander was placed in the bowl. The fruit was soaked and rubbed to thoroughly clean it. Easy!
