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Brilio.net - Eating fresh fruit is healthy, but did you know that most imported fruits are coated with food grade wax or what is known as edible wax? This layer serves to maintain the freshness of the fruit and make it look shinier. Although it is considered safe to consume, cleaning the wax layer on the fruit is still recommended to avoid the accumulation of additives in the body.
The wax coating used is generally made of shellac (lac bug sap) or carnauba wax (from palm leaves). Although it has received food grade certification from the FDA, several studies have shown that long-term consumption of wax coating can cause digestive problems. Here are 5 tricks for cleaning wax coating on fruit that you can practice at home, reviewed by BrilioFood , Wednesday (1/1).
1. Clean with warm water and apple cider vinegar.
Warm water is the simplest way to soften the wax layer, while apple cider vinegar helps dissolve it. The combination of the two is very effective for cleaning fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes.
Materials needed:
- 1 liter of warm water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Large basin or container
How to clean:
1. Mix warm water with apple cider vinegar.
2. Soak the fruit for 5-10 minutes
3. Rub gently with your hands or a soft brush
4. Rinse with clean water
5. Dry with a clean cloth
Baking soda has a gentle abrasive property that effectively removes wax without damaging the skin of the fruit. This method is suitable for fruits with thick skins such as apples and oranges.
Materials needed:
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 liter of warm water
- Soft brush
Cleaning process:
1. Dissolve baking soda in warm water
2. Dip the fruit for 8-12 minutes
3. Gently brush the surface of the fruit
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Wipe dry
Table salt has the ability to naturally remove wax. This method is very effective for cleaning fruits such as grapes and cherry tomatoes.
Materials needed:
- 3 tablespoons of table salt
- 1 liter of warm water
- Large container
Steps:
1. Prepare a warm salt water solution.
2. Soak the fruit for 10 minutes
3. Rub gently between the fruits
4. Rinse with running water
5. Dry before consuming
The citric acid in lemons helps to dissolve the waxy coating while also providing antibacterial effects. This method works well on a variety of fruits, especially apples and pears.
Materials needed:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 liter of warm water
- Basin
How to do:
1. Mix lemon juice with warm water
2. Soak the fruit for 10-15 minutes
3. Gently rub the surface of the fruit
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Dry with kitchen tissue
Using a special fruit soap is one of the most effective tricks to clean the wax layer on fruit. Make sure to use food grade fruit soap.
Ingredients:
- Special soap for washing fruit
- Sufficient warm water
- Special fruit brush
Cleaning steps:
1. Dissolve the soap according to the package instructions.
2. Soak the fruit for 5-7 minutes
3. Gently brush the entire surface
4. Rinse at least 2 times
5. Dry before storing
Additional Tips:
- Choose a method according to the type of fruit
- Do not use water that is too hot
- Avoid using dishwashing soap
- Clean the fruit just before consuming it.
- Store the cleaned fruit in the refrigerator.
By applying the trick to clean the wax layer on the fruit above, you can enjoy fruits that are healthier and safer to consume. Remember to always wash your hands before cleaning the fruit and use food grade ingredients. This cleaning method generally takes 10-15 minutes, depending on the amount of fruit being cleaned.
(brl/tin)
