How to remove small black worms from mung beans

Green beans with small black worms can be removed by freezing, sun exposure, sieving, and other methods. Small black worms are mostly mung bean elephant larvae, which need to be dealt with in a timely manner to avoid contaminating other ingredients.

1. Freezing treatment

Put live green beans into sealed bags and place them in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. Low temperature can effectively kill the eggs and larvae. It is recommended to freeze for more than 48 hours, and after processing, it should be dried to prevent moisture. The freezing method is suitable for small amounts of mung beans without damaging their nutritional components, and should be consumed as soon as possible after processing.

2. Sun exposure

Lay the mung beans flat in a clean container and expose them to direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. Ultraviolet radiation can drive away adult insects, while high temperatures can cause dehydration and death of the eggs. After exposure to sunlight, it is necessary to filter the insect corpses with a fine mesh, and be careful to avoid dust pollution during operation.

3. Screening and Sorting

Use a fine sieve with a pore size less than 2 millimeters to repeatedly screen for pests and insect particles. During screening, the lightweight insect shells can be blown away using the cold air mode of the hair dryer. This method needs to be repeated multiple times and is suitable for situations with less pest infestation.

4. Sichuan pepper deworming

Lay gauze on the bottom of the storage container and place dried Sichuan pepper. The volatile components of Sichuan pepper have deworming effects. Each kilogram of mung beans is paired with 20-30 Sichuan peppercorns, which need to be replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness. This method is suitable for preventing pest recurrence.

5. High temperature hot washing

Soak mung beans in hot water at around 60 ℃ for 10 minutes and then quickly dry them. High temperature can kill insect eggs but may affect germination rate. The processed mung beans should be thoroughly dried and sealed to avoid secondary infestation.

To prevent mung bean infestation, it is necessary to store it in a sealed container with a rubber ring or a food grade sealed bag, and place it in a cool and dry place. Regularly check the inventory of grain, and it is recommended to freeze newly purchased mung beans before storing them. If the pest infestation is severe or mold is found, it is recommended to discard it directly to avoid health risks. Natural insect repellent materials such as star anise and cinnamon can be stored together with grains in daily life, reducing the use of chemical insecticides.