Everyone is looking for shortcuts in the kitchen, and it can be tempting to skip washing vegetables when, for example, you're removing outer leaves or you've heard that water will compromise flavor and texture. And why wash a fruit when you're not going to eat its skin? Here, we explain why homegrown herbs, melon, cabbage, iceberg lettuce, mushrooms, and kiwis require a careful rinse before eating raw or using them in cooking.
The Right Way to Wash Every Type of Vegetable, According to Food Safety Experts
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Homegrown Herbs
The fresh herbs (such as parsley, sage, thyme, and basil) you've grown in your backyard or windowsill are indeed lovely to look at, smell wonderful, and are a flavorful addition to so many dishes. But just because you cared for them lovingly doesn't mean they're pristine. Whether backyard critters have taken a nibble, a bird has left its mark, or household dust has settled in the leaves, the herbs may be dirty—so give them a careful wash before using them.
How to Wash Herbs
- Rinse a small handful of herbs under cool, running water.
- Shake them dry.
- Pat with a paper towel or give them a turn in a salad spinner.
Melon
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Like a lot of other produce, melons grow on the ground. Their rind protects the interior flesh from dirt and microorganisms. But if you don’t properly wash the melon before you cut it, you might introduce bacteria to the inside of the melon. The bacteria will attach to your knife blade from the surface of the dirty melon and travel through the melon once the cuts are made, contaminating every slice.
How to Wash Melons
Before slicing or peeling:
Rinse the melon under running water (without any soap, bleach, or commercial produce wash), scrubbing it with a clean produce brush.
Iceberg Lettuce
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The heat from cooking can destroy harmful microorganisms lurking on leafy greens. But as iceberg lettuce is almost always eaten raw, it's crucial to wash it before eating. (Even if you plan to grill the lettuce, washing it first is still the best practice.)
How to Wash Iceberg Lettuce
When making a salad with iceberg lettuce or shredding it for sandwiches, wash it just as you would wash any other type of leafy green:
- Remove the leaves from the head.
- Rinse the leaves under cool water.
- Spin them dry in a salad spinner.
If you're making an iceberg wedge salad and don't want to separate the leaves, follow these steps instead:
- Give the head of iceberg lettuce a good rinse under cool running water.
- Gently pat it dry.
- Set it on a cutting board and remove any wilted outer leaves before cutting into wedges.
Mushrooms
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There's a common myth that you shouldn't wash mushrooms because they'll absorb the water. That's not true—mushrooms actually absorb very little water because they're 90 percent water already. That being said, mushrooms should be gently cleaned to remove dirt and debris, as they grow directly out of the soil.
How to Wash Mushrooms
There's no need to tediously brush your mushrooms; here's the fast, easy, and effective method for washing them:
- Plunge the mushrooms into a bowl of water.
- Turn them with your hand to dislodge dirt and debris.
- Remove the mushrooms and transfer to a clean, cotton towel to pat dry.
How to Wash Fruit the Right Way—Plus Whether You Need a Produce Wash
Cabbage
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The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.
How to Wash Cabbage
- Remove the thick outer leaves of the cabbage head.
- Cut the cabbage into wedges.
- Rinse the wedges in a colander under running water.
- Shake them dry as best as you can, then pat them with a clean cotton towel to remove additional moisture.
Kiwi
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The fuzzy skin on kiwi is indeed edible, and many suggest you eat it rather than waste it—it's full of fiber and vitamin C. Keeping the skin on also makes it easier for snacking since even if you slice it, the skin holds the kiwi together. However, the fuzzy texture of kiwi can pick up a significant amount of dirt. If you're going to consume the kiwi skin, wash it first to remove any particles and potentially harmful bacteria.
How to Wash Kiwi
Simply run the fruit under cool water and dry it with a paper or cotton towel.
