Ah, strawberries! Those little bursts of sweetness that make your taste buds sing. They’re refreshing, delicious, and just the perfect little treat.
Whether you’re munching them as a snack or tossing them into a dessert, strawberries never disappoint. And the best part? They’re pretty much always available in the fresh produce section, making healthy snacking a breeze.
But here’s the juicy question: do you wash your strawberries before diving into their sweet embrace?
Some folks do a quick taste test at the grocery store or farmer’s market, deciding on the spot whether to buy them in bulk. Others pick up pre-packaged berries, assuming they’ve been pre-washed. However, a TikTok trend might just change the way you think about washing your fruit.
This TikTok trend, which has captured the curiosity of many, involves soaking strawberries in saltwater. And guess what? People have been finding bugs in their berries! That’s right, everything from insects crawling on the surface to others making a grand escape from the inside. This revelation has quickly spread across social media, prompting many to try the experiment for themselves.
So, what are these critters that seem to have made strawberries their home?
Well, the jury is still out on their exact identity. Some say they’re strawberry mites or two-spotted spider mites, others think they might be pharaoh ants, and there are those who claim they’ve found spotted wing drosophila. Whatever the case, the sight of bugs emerging from strawberries has certainly raised a few eyebrows.
Curious about trying this out? It’s simple: fill a bowl with water, add a pinch of salt, and let your strawberries have a little soak. Some folks leave them for about five minutes, while others swear by a thirty-minute bath.
A few adventurous souls even opt for warm water or a vinegar solution. Regardless of the method, the sight of bugs has surprised many, though experts say it shouldn’t be all that shocking.
Bugs in fresh produce? More common than you might think.
After all, fruits and veggies come from gardens and farms, where these tiny residents are part and parcel of the ecosystem. And yes, that includes strawberries and just about every other fresh fruit or veggie you can think of. It’s pretty safe to assume we’ve all ingested a mite or two in our lifetimes.
But here’s the kicker: ingesting these bugs isn’t known to be harmful. There’s no concrete evidence to suggest that eating these insects can make us sick, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration even has guidelines on the permissible bug content in our food.
So, if the thought of munching on a few extra critters with your berries is making you squirm, remember that it’s not really a health hazard.
The takeaway from this berry interesting story? Wash your fruits and veggies! Whether you’re about to enjoy them raw, cook them up, or throw them into a dish, giving them a good rinse is always a smart move. And don’t be fooled by packaging; even if they come in a nice, neat box, those strawberries still need a wash.
So, next time you’re about to indulge in some strawberry goodness, remember to give them a little spa treatment first. Trust me, it’s worth the extra step to enjoy your berries bug-free and with peace of mind.
Watch the video below to see the foul little critters in action.
Are you having a good day today?
I’m sorry for ruining it by posting this video of a strawberry under a microscope. pic.twitter.com/xQKSG04OYK
— QENNY Go Go White Sox (@AKBrews) March 28, 2023
