When it comes to food safety, the mantra of “wash before consuming” is deeply ingrained in our minds. However, some exceptions to this rule exist, and they might surprise you.
Certain foods are best left unwashed for various reasons, ranging from preserving flavor to preventing spoilage. Here are 20 foods you shouldn’t wash:
Avocados
Washing avocados can cause them to become mushy and accelerate spoilage. Simply wipe the skin with a clean cloth if needed.
Steak
Washing raw meat, including steak, can spread bacteria and increase the risk of foodborne illness. Like chicken, cooking steak to the desired doneness is sufficient to kill harmful pathogens.
Related: How to Cook Steak on a Stone in the Wilderness
Eggplants
Washing eggplants can cause them to absorb excess water, resulting in a mushy texture when cooked. Eggplants have a waxy protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering. Instead of washing eggplants, simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Bananas
Washing bananas can speed up the ripening process and promote mold growth. Instead, wipe your bananas with a cloth and peel them before eating to avoid transferring dirt or bacteria from your skin to the fruit.
Eggs
Eggshells are porous; washing them can remove the protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering.
In the United States, eggs are actually washed before being sold, but in many other countries, they are left unwashed.
Washing eggs significantly decreases their shelf life. If you want to add eggs to your survival stockpile, you should use this preservation method that keeps them fresh for at least a decade.
Bagged Salad
Most bagged salad greens are already cleaned and ready to eat. Rewashing them can introduce contaminants from your sink or hands. It may also cause them to wilt or spoil faster.
Pasta
Washing cooked pasta removes the starch that helps sauces cling to it, resulting in a less flavorful dish. Instead, simply drain the pasta and toss it with sauce immediately; this will help to create a more flavorful meal.
Cabbage
Washing cabbage can cause it to become limp. Instead, remove the outer leaves and rinse the head lightly right before you plan to cook it.
Rice
Although many people say you should wash rice before consuming it, washing rice can actually remove valuable nutrients and alter its texture. Instead, opt for pre-rinsed varieties or simply cook it as is.
Root Vegetables
Washing root vegetables like potatoes or carrots can remove the protective layer of dirt, making them spoil faster.
For optimal preservation, you should store these vegetables in a root cellar, where the cool, dark environment can extend their freshness even further.
If you don’t have a root cellar, you can learn here a cheap and easy way to build a root cellar in your backyard.
Onions
Washing onions can increase their moisture content and cause them to sprout or spoil more quickly. Instead, store onions in a cool, dry place with good air circulation, such as a pantry or cellar.
Berries
Washing berries can cause them to absorb water and promote mold growth. Instead, wait to wash them until just before eating and store them in the refrigerator in a breathable container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
Fresh Herbs
Washing fresh herbs can cause them to wilt more quickly. Instead, trim the stems and store them in a jar of water in the refrigerator, changing the water every few days to keep them fresh. Alternatively, you can store herbs in oil or dry them to make them last even longer.
Nuts
Washing nuts can make them lose their crunchiness and absorb excess moisture. Instead, if you need to clean them, wipe them with a dry cloth or pick out any debris by hand.
Chicken
Washing raw chicken can actually spread harmful bacteria like salmonella around your kitchen without you even realizing it. Cooking chicken to the proper internal temperature is the best way to kill any bacteria present.
Related: Chicken Secrets Nobody Told You About
While some people prefer to wash their chicken before cooking it, it is far safer and much more effective to cook the chicken thoroughly, which will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.
Before cooking, ensure chicken is stored in an airtight container or packaging that prevents leakage.
Garlic
Washing garlic bulbs or cloves can introduce moisture and cause them to spoil faster. Instead, store garlic bulbs in a cool, dry place with good air circulation, such as a pantry or countertop.
Mushrooms
Washing mushrooms can make them absorb water like a sponge, leading to a soggy texture when cooked. Instead, gently brush off any dirt with a soft brush or a damp cloth.
Dried Mushrooms
Washing dried mushrooms can strip them of their concentrated flavor and defeats the purpose of using the dried variety in the first place. This advice applies to all dried products.
Instead of washing them, rehydrate them by soaking them in hot water for a few minutes, then use them in your favorite dishes without rinsing.
Bacon
Washing bacon strips can make them soggy and prevent proper crisping when cooked.
It can also spread bacteria that may be harmful to your health.
Instead, pat the bacon strips dry with a paper towel and cook as is.
Whole Grains
Washing whole grains like quinoa or barley can remove their natural protective coating and cause them to spoil more quickly. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place in a sealed container to protect them from moisture and pests. Only rinse them just before cooking.
In conclusion, while washing fruits and vegetables is generally a good practice, this is not always the case, and there are certain foods where it’s best to skip this step.
Whether it’s to preserve the flavor or texture, to comply with food safety regulations, or to extend shelf life, knowing when not to wash can elevate your culinary skills and ensure a more enjoyable dining experience.
So, next time you reach for that mushroom or eggplant, remember that sometimes a little dirt never hurts.
I am sure I missed many foods you should not wash, but can you think of any more? Share them in the comments and let others know how to extend the shelf life of foods and stay safe.
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Why would we wash these food items unless they are getting past their expiration date. Sometimes bacon toward the refrigeration storage it tends to get a little slimy so will wash it before cooking. If bacon is slimy and that odor smell then will toss it in the garbage.
There are times when washing is needed to extend the use of food, depending on our situation.
Also, Cloverdale bacon anymore comes in the package slimy with all the water they put on it to make the weight heavier!! A few years ago I did not have to do this, but now since the Illuminati forced the CO. to sell things get worse and MORE expensive!!!
Without fail, I rinse off both ends of bananas as soon as I bring them home. I also throw out the bag they came in. Bugs like fruit flies, like to lay their eggs on the stem and on the ends. Ever since I’ve been doing it, I haven’t had any problems with the bananas or with fruit flies. This was a tip I picked up on years ago from the Heloise Column.
Definitely don’t wash eggs whether kept on the counter or in the fridge as said their is a protective coating on the egg shell. We only wash the egg shell if their is too much fecal matter. Mother Nature is great in taking care of us on earth as God takes care of us spiritually.
I use to raise a few chickens and the only time you clean them is to get the poop off them! also I wash chicken just before I cook it! Again some chicken is slimy and I do wash it!! And I am still alive and well!!!
YES I don’t care what the “experts” say about washing chicken but it is now sprayed with preservatives so would you want to eat that toxin? Not me so I wash chicken and clean my sink or pan after. Too many people rely on these “experts” and throw common sense out the window
Howdy. Years ago, from one of my roommate’s family whose business was gathering and selling eggs to restaurants in their area, I learned the way they removed fecal matter from the egg shells – mainly using a piece of sandpaper, gently, until the spot is removed. Gently so less egg shell is removed. HTH.
Would this be safe for store bought eggs, stored on the counter?
if you like to get food posioning
Fact is Europeans keep their eggs on the counter for a long time. Reason eggs have a coating that protects them.
American eggs are washed for s
salmonella before being put into a container and that is why you need to refrigerate eggs in America instead of keeping them on the counter.
I buy eggs from my local farm. I usually never have room in the fridge so they stay on the counter. Sometimes for months. Never any issues.
I don’t wash whole grains until ready to cook them if needed to.
Off Topic:
America needs to wash our country of the slime and crime flooding over our open borders as replacements for a new voting block to keep our corrupt politicians in permanent office.
In this Bidenomics fleecing of taxpayers for illegal replacements of Americans by whatever means necessary fentanyl laced food and drugs and stupid dopers taking fentanyl.
Denver property owners are being asked to rent to illegal migrants, what about our American homeless and veterans first?
We got overburdened public schools forced to have illegals that don’t speak English, lowering the education standards. Marxist Critical Race Theory is segregation of nationwide public schools.
Venezuela illegals doing drive by shootings in major cities. Is this the America you all voted for with Biden?
You all know Trump told us in advanced what would happen and you voted for this Manchurian Candidate to be president and a vice president who slept her way into the presidency courtesy of Willie Brown.
Joe Biden uses secretive flights to import 320,000 illegal aliens to America.
He’s wanting votes, that’s why they were given the automatic right to vote! They don’t have to come in through the door, they don’t have the earn citizenship, they don’t have to get a job for food, housing, medical, dental, earn a driver license. It’s ALL give to them, unlike us who had to earn all we have. Just let them expect me to house an illegal alien!
funny .
go storm the capital.
I use fruit and vegetable spray wash as there have been salmonella bacteria outbreaks. From either food picker handlers or from animals roaming through the open fields. Some things need to be washed and dried before consumption.
When we go to the grocery stores, we have people coming in handling our foods and food containers. During food processing, distribution and customers in general. Some people have colds an sneeze on the products or don’t wash their hands while touching our food items.
So yes I use on some items a fruit and vegetable spray wash and dry them.
Also wipe down boxed food and packages as customers do have germs on their hands that may not be compatible with what we have at home.
Our gut microbiome may not be the same as others, we may have just gotten sick and our immune system is not up to fighting off certain germs around us.
So it depends on what we need to do to keep us and our family safe in today’s Bidenomics world.
God keep us safe.
I have heard to wash berries in water and a bit of vinegar, then dry and they will last much longer
From working at several farms where our #1 seller was strawberries, do not wash or soak your berries before storing them. They will get waterlogged and rot much quicker. Rinse & dry right before using. And never store them in the refrigerator as cold destroys their flavor. Unless they are starting to turn but make sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for best flavor. That said, vinegar is always reliable for washing fruits or vegetables that need a little extra cleaning. I do vinegar solution soaks with certain things just be careful what you put in there.
In the early days of say NYC the food sellers would sell vegetables, fruit and meat is despicable setting. Some meat that was spoiled green looking for days. People would use cooking sauces to hide the disgusting nature of the food sold for consumption.
That was one reason catsup, A1 steak sauce and others did to cover up the spoiled food.
Today we have some common health standards in effect for the public.
We see these illegals running food carts not regulated by public health agencies. These carts are supplied by the Mexican drug cartels for these illegals to pay off their debts to the cartels.
In Biden’s world we are gasping for our last breath of freedom in America.
The great reset is here, taking America down, China is winning.
Help us Lord Jesus!
AMEN!!!! Jesus is coming back soon! In Luke 21:25 Jesus said in the end times look up to see the signs in the heavens, the moon, stars,and planets. Next month the eclipse of the sun and the planets will aline in such a way that has never before! And will not again for millions of years! People need to get right with the Lord for we do not know when He will return, but these signs and wonders are something that has never happened before!! Jesus said He would give us a sign!!!
Amen!
Who is currently washing these things? I’ve never heard of anyone washing any of this.
Younger people usually do what they are told, seem to have no common sense {a lot of them}
Don’t forget to wash your long pork. Especially if they are homeless, promiscuous or have blue hair. And be sure to use a towel to pat it dry
the mushroom item is false. Try this yourself with an accurate balance. Re bagged lettuce,,,you take your chances and I’ll take mine. Everything else is ok
Actually it’s fairly well known that it’s best to wipe mushrooms with a slightly damp cloth as they will get waterlogged if you wash them. You can still choose to rinse them, many people do, but it does affect texture some. In my experience, if they’re grungy to the point of needing to be washed they’re probably too old & slimy to be much good anyway but are great for the compost pile. Fresh mushrooms are very clean and that debris on them is NOT dirt. It IS important to get organic mushrooms though which I find increasingly difficult over the past 5-10 years for some insane reason.
Great article, thank you.
Also grapes should not be washed.
Doing so will loose majority of it’s sweetness and flavors.
I never wash grapes, and still here I am healthy.
Generally agree, they go bad SO fast. Which is why I exclusively buy organic grapes. If I absolutely need grapes and cannot get organic, I do either a produce wash spray or vinegar soak. I do not want the pesticides and just try to use them up right away. Grapes are notoriously 1 of the most contaminated with sprays & pesticides due to their delicate nature and high sugar content attracting bugs. Goes for wine and other grape products too.
Other than dried mushrooms, any of these could be washed without adverse effects immediately before preparing them. When else would you even consider it?
Wash vs. rinse. Our chicken run is usually muddy after a good rain. To prevent contaminating the eggs, I rinse them immediately after I collect them from the nests.