How to remove wax from fruits

The wax on the surface of fruits is usually divided into natural fruit wax and artificial edible wax, which can be removed by soaking in warm water, scrubbing with salt, cleaning with baking soda, using specialized fruit and vegetable cleaners, or peeling.

1. Soak the fruit in warm water

Soak the fruit in 40-50 ℃ warm water for 5-10 minutes. The water temperature should not be too high to avoid damaging the nutrition. Natural fruit wax softens when exposed to heat, and can be easily removed by lightly brushing the surface with a soft bristled brush. It is suitable for fruits with hard skin such as apples and pears. After soaking, rinse the residue with running water.

2. Rub with salt

Take a small amount of salt and sprinkle it evenly on the moist surface of the fruit. Gently rub with fingertips for 30 seconds and then rinse off. The fine particles of salt can effectively rub off the wax layer and also have a certain bactericidal effect. This method has a significant effect on small fruits such as grapes and plums, but for fruits with delicate skin, the intensity needs to be controlled.

3. Baking soda cleaning

Add 10 grams of baking soda per liter of water, dissolve and soak the fruit for 15 minutes. Alkaline environment can decompose some of the lipid components of artificial wax, especially for industrial paraffin wax. After soaking citrus fruits in baking soda, pesticide residues on the skin can be reduced. It is recommended to rinse them with water again after cleaning.

4. Special cleaning agent

Select a fruit and vegetable cleaning agent labeled as "degradable fruit wax", dilute it according to the instructions and soak it. This type of cleaning agent contains surfactants that can dissolve wax in a targeted manner, making it more effective for fruits with high wax content such as cherries and peaches. Thoroughly rinse after use to avoid chemical residues.

5. Peeling treatment

For fruits with thick waxing or uneven surfaces, direct peeling is the most thorough way. The skin and flesh of fruits and vegetables such as apples and cucumbers are tightly connected, and it is recommended to use a ceramic knife to reduce nutrient loss. It should be noted that some fruits such as grapes and blueberries are inconvenient to peel, and other cleaning methods should be prioritized.

When choosing fruits in daily life, it is advisable to prioritize products that have not been waxed or only contain natural fruit wax. The main components of natural fruit wax are palm wax or insect glue wax, which are harmless to the human body and do not need to be deliberately removed. Although artificial edible wax meets food safety standards, long-term intake may affect digestive function. It is recommended to consume the cleaned fruits as soon as possible to avoid secondary contamination. For special populations such as infants and young children, it is recommended to use physical skinning to ensure safety, while also paying attention to dietary diversity to balance nutrient intake.