oranges & lemons

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about?

Fkoe

"Hayabusa" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about?

Fkoe

There not much more you can do than scrub them well. Some chemicals are
systemics, meaning they're absorbed into the fruit. Not sure how prevalent
they are in citrus. Anyway, scrub with a fingernail brush, and that's it.

"Hayabusa" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about?

Fkoe

There not much more you can do than scrub them well. Some chemicals are
systemics, meaning they're absorbed into the fruit. Not sure how prevalent
they are in citrus. Anyway, scrub with a fingernail brush, and that's it.

Hayabusa said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about?

Fkoe

I wash mine with a scrub sponge (gently). Organic fruits will have less
chemicals on them, I would imagine. So you might consider using those.

Hayabusa said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about?

Fkoe

I wash mine with a scrub sponge (gently). Organic fruits will have less
chemicals on them, I would imagine. So you might consider using those.

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hayabusa said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about? Fkoe

I wash mine with a scrub sponge (gently). Organic fruits will have less
chemicals on them, I would imagine. So you might consider using those.

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength
vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to get
off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long way;
for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1 tablespoon,
sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level of the washer.
They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hayabusa said:

Oranges and lemons are usually sprayed with some chemicals to preserve
them. This stuff should not be eaten. But some recipes ask for lemon
or orange zest. I have trouble to find unsprayed oranges in the shop.
But someone told me that it suffices to simply wash the fruits with
warm water and a drop of detergent. Would anyone know if this is true,
or if there is more one should know about? Fkoe

I wash mine with a scrub sponge (gently). Organic fruits will have less
chemicals on them, I would imagine. So you might consider using those.

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength
vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to get
off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long way;
for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1 tablespoon,
sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level of the washer.
They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to get
off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long way;
for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1 tablespoon,
sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level of the washer.
They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so
I am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to get
off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long way;
for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1 tablespoon,
sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level of the washer.
They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so
I am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

Hello Fkoe:

When I need lemon zest, I wash the lemon with a few drops of
dishwashing detergent and water, using a soft brush:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10259&cat=2,42551

(If you buy the brushes, buy a dozen, you won't regret it.)

In theory, it's all but impossible to rinse off *all* the detergent.
In practice, one or two good rinses with rubbing seems to remove any
flavor and odor of detergent (well....of perfume, which is what's in
most detergents). So I rinse three times.

BTW I teach chemistry at university and do a lot of washing and rinsing
in the lab, where cleanliness is way ahead of godliness.... :-)

Best -- Terry

Hello Fkoe:

When I need lemon zest, I wash the lemon with a few drops of
dishwashing detergent and water, using a soft brush:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10259&cat=2,42551

(If you buy the brushes, buy a dozen, you won't regret it.)

In theory, it's all but impossible to rinse off *all* the detergent.
In practice, one or two good rinses with rubbing seems to remove any
flavor and odor of detergent (well....of perfume, which is what's in
most detergents). So I rinse three times.

BTW I teach chemistry at university and do a lot of washing and rinsing
in the lab, where cleanliness is way ahead of godliness.... :-)

Best -- Terry

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to
get off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long
way; for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1
tablespoon, sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level
of the washer. They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so I
am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

Pesticides are mixed with various oils to make them stick. You *should* use
some sort of soap to remove them. Contrary to what you've been told, a drop
of detergent on a scrub sponge will not leave residue on the fruit. If it
does, it's because you don't know how to rinse things properly, which means
you're already being dosed with detergent on any utensils you wash by hand.

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to
get off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a long
way; for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1
tablespoon, sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water level
of the washer. They say detergent can really be harmful to the gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so I
am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

Pesticides are mixed with various oils to make them stick. You *should* use
some sort of soap to remove them. Contrary to what you've been told, a drop
of detergent on a scrub sponge will not leave residue on the fruit. If it
does, it's because you don't know how to rinse things properly, which means
you're already being dosed with detergent on any utensils you wash by hand.

Quoted message said:

Hello Fkoe:

When I need lemon zest, I wash the lemon with a few drops of
dishwashing detergent and water, using a soft brush:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10259&cat=2,42551

(If you buy the brushes, buy a dozen, you won't regret it.)

In theory, it's all but impossible to rinse off *all* the detergent.
In practice, one or two good rinses with rubbing seems to remove any
flavor and odor of detergent (well....of perfume, which is what's in
most detergents). So I rinse three times.

BTW I teach chemistry at university and do a lot of washing and rinsing
in the lab, where cleanliness is way ahead of godliness.... :-)

Best -- Terry

When I worked in an organic chemistry lab (washing glassware), they
really needed well-rinsed glassware or it'd ruin the experiments.
So, 12 rinses in tap water, 6 rinses in de-ionized water, 3 rinses in
distilled water. And those rinses were thorough, too. They used the
Shaklee Basic H product for washing (are they still around?), said it
came off better. Of course, I had to know some chemistry to clean
glassware that needed something other than soap. Anyway, when people
see me rinse my dishes at home, they are amazed at my rinsing routine,
but then I never taste any soap, either. However, I just use tap water
now. I have washed lemons in soapy water, but I try to use home-grown
lemons for zesting if possible. When I get a big batch of lemons from
someone's tree, I zest, then juice, and freeze it all for later use.
Here in California, lots of people have lemon trees and they don't use
many lemons, and I have a big freezer.
Cheers,
betsy

Quoted message said:

Hello Fkoe:

When I need lemon zest, I wash the lemon with a few drops of
dishwashing detergent and water, using a soft brush:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10259&cat=2,42551

(If you buy the brushes, buy a dozen, you won't regret it.)

In theory, it's all but impossible to rinse off *all* the detergent.
In practice, one or two good rinses with rubbing seems to remove any
flavor and odor of detergent (well....of perfume, which is what's in
most detergents). So I rinse three times.

BTW I teach chemistry at university and do a lot of washing and rinsing
in the lab, where cleanliness is way ahead of godliness.... :-)

Best -- Terry

When I worked in an organic chemistry lab (washing glassware), they
really needed well-rinsed glassware or it'd ruin the experiments.
So, 12 rinses in tap water, 6 rinses in de-ionized water, 3 rinses in
distilled water. And those rinses were thorough, too. They used the
Shaklee Basic H product for washing (are they still around?), said it
came off better. Of course, I had to know some chemistry to clean
glassware that needed something other than soap. Anyway, when people
see me rinse my dishes at home, they are amazed at my rinsing routine,
but then I never taste any soap, either. However, I just use tap water
now. I have washed lemons in soapy water, but I try to use home-grown
lemons for zesting if possible. When I get a big batch of lemons from
someone's tree, I zest, then juice, and freeze it all for later use.
Here in California, lots of people have lemon trees and they don't use
many lemons, and I have a big freezer.
Cheers,
betsy

"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to
get off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a
long way; for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1
tablespoon, sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water
level of the washer. They say detergent can really be harmful to the
gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so I
am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

Pesticides are mixed with various oils to make them stick. You *should*
use some sort of soap to remove them. Contrary to what you've been told, a
drop of detergent on a scrub sponge will not leave residue on the fruit.
If it does, it's because you don't know how to rinse things properly,
which means you're already being dosed with detergent on any utensils you
wash by hand.

I don't think with me that it is because I don't know how to rinse things
properly. With just a drop of detergent with my water softness, it would
take a washer load full of water to rinse anything well enough. Perhaps
even more. Additionally, some people believe they know more about rinsing
than others - perhaps they learned it in Rinsing 101 -- I didn't take
that course (:- }

IMO, I think the proper thing to use if one is really concerned about
washing off pesticides and wax is the grape-seed or grape-fruit concentrate;
however, I find vinegar will take pesticides off as well as soap and
possibly the grape-seed extract.

My dishwasher may not rinse properly, but I do -- tee hee!
Dee Dee

"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"jake" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After washing fruits (and veggies) briefly, I spray with full-strength

Quoted message said:

vinegar and let it sorta soak that waxey gloop off, then I scrub them a
little more (gently).

I used to use detergent, but I've read that it takes a lot of rinsing to
get off a drop of detergent. A drop of detergent at my house goes a
long way; for instance I wash a load of clothes with no more than 1
tablespoon, sometimes less than a teaspoon dependent upon the water
level of the washer. They say detergent can really be harmful to the
gut.

Dee Dee

I don't use anything soapy ont my citrus fruits when scrubbing them, so I
am glad to read that turns out to be a sensible approach. I had been
guessing, really, as to whether it was the right approach.

Pesticides are mixed with various oils to make them stick. You *should*
use some sort of soap to remove them. Contrary to what you've been told, a
drop of detergent on a scrub sponge will not leave residue on the fruit.
If it does, it's because you don't know how to rinse things properly,
which means you're already being dosed with detergent on any utensils you
wash by hand.

I don't think with me that it is because I don't know how to rinse things
properly. With just a drop of detergent with my water softness, it would
take a washer load full of water to rinse anything well enough. Perhaps
even more. Additionally, some people believe they know more about rinsing
than others - perhaps they learned it in Rinsing 101 -- I didn't take
that course (:- }

IMO, I think the proper thing to use if one is really concerned about
washing off pesticides and wax is the grape-seed or grape-fruit concentrate;
however, I find vinegar will take pesticides off as well as soap and
possibly the grape-seed extract.

My dishwasher may not rinse properly, but I do -- tee hee!
Dee Dee

betsy said:

When I worked in an organic chemistry lab (washing glassware), they
really needed well-rinsed glassware or it'd ruin the experiments.
So, 12 rinses in tap water, 6 rinses in de-ionized water, 3 rinses in
distilled water. And those rinses were thorough, too. They used the
Shaklee Basic H product for washing (are they still around?), said it
came off better.

Not only are "they" around, Basic H is too. I think I'll buy a bottle
and give it a try. Thanks for the heads up.
http://www.shaklee.com/product/00011
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

betsy said:

When I worked in an organic chemistry lab (washing glassware), they
really needed well-rinsed glassware or it'd ruin the experiments.
So, 12 rinses in tap water, 6 rinses in de-ionized water, 3 rinses in
distilled water. And those rinses were thorough, too. They used the
Shaklee Basic H product for washing (are they still around?), said it
came off better.

Not only are "they" around, Basic H is too. I think I'll buy a bottle
and give it a try. Thanks for the heads up.
http://www.shaklee.com/product/00011
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.