Broccoli is incredibly healthy! But are you just rinsing it under running water before eating it? If so, there’s a high chance that contaminants remain. Today, we’ll show you how to clean broccoli thoroughly instead of just rinsing it under running water.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Rinse It
Unlike other vegetables, broccoli has tightly packed florets. These florets are coated with a waxy substance, and simply rinsing them with water won’t effectively clean them. To wash them properly, you need to open the florets while rinsing. The florets remain closed when dry but will open when they get wet.
Soaking in Water
First, prepare a deep container to submerge the broccoli to open the florets. Fill it with enough water and soak the broccoli for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the florets to absorb water and open up completely.
Adding salt to the water can help remove any residual pesticides or insects.
Washing Broccoli
After soaking for at least 10 minutes, wash the broccoli once the florets have opened up. Fill a basin with clean water, submerge the florets, and gently shake them several times. Change the water 2 to 3 times while washing. This will help remove all sorts of debris from the opened florets.
If you’re concerned about residual pesticides, add a bit of vinegar to the water, dilute it, and soak the broccoli for about 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Vinegar is effective at removing pesticide residues.
By following this method, you can remove all the debris stuck between the florets, ensuring that your broccoli is clean and safe to eat. Now, you can enjoy your broccoli confidently and healthily!
If you don’t plan to cook the broccoli immediately, dry it well and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
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