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" > wrote in message
...
> 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 wrote:
> 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" > wrote in message
. nl...
> Hayabusa wrote:
>> 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
> 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...59&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" > wrote in message
. nl...
> 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
>>
>
> 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.

wrote:
> 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...59&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" > wrote in message
...
>
> "jake" > wrote in message
> . nl...
>> 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
>>>
>>
>> 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

On 27 Jan 2006 15:53:39 -0800, betsy wrote:

> 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.

"Dee Randall" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Doug Kanter" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "jake" > wrote in message
>> . nl...
>>> 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
>>>>
>>>
>>> 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
>
>

Well....as long as you do SOMETHING. Pesticide companies go to great lengths
to make sure the stuff resists being washed off by rain.

Hmm.... must be some unusual contaminant being removed from the
glassware. In analytical chemistry, three rinses is generally
considered to be sufficient to remove all but 0.1% (or less) of any
residue. For extreme cleanliness, instead of more rinsing, nitric acid
soaks are generally used. I don't recommend that for lemons,
though.... :-)

Our home-grown lemons (miniature tree, indoors) have lots of juice and
lots of flavor but are a little low on the zest. I wish we had a
variety that was thicker-skinned.

Regards -- Terry

On 28 Jan 2006 06:59:37 -0800, wrote:

> Our home-grown lemons (miniature tree, indoors) have lots of juice and
> lots of flavor but are a little low on the zest. I wish we had a
> variety that was thicker-skinned.

I think the zest part of the peel is pretty much equal on all lemons.
It's the *white part* of the rind that is thinner on some (like
Meyer). http://tinyurl.com/7pcey
--

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Dee Randall wrote:

> 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.

Why bother adding it at all at that point?

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
. ..
> Dee Randall wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
> Why bother adding it at all at that point?

I don't. "I used to use ....."
Dee Dee

Hayabusa wrote:
> 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?

Chemicals... everything is chemicals. duh

Fruits and vegetables are coated with natural plant wax, perfectly
edible... in fact as safe to eat as the fruits and vegetables it
protects, in fact safer than the fruits and vegetables it protects....
in fact if you eat fruits and vegetables that haven't been coated you
still can't avoid plant wax, it's in there. The way you're carrying on
someone would think you're talking filthy wax from unbathed hairy eared
dagos. And anyway, most all the citrus you buy is dyed with food
coloring too.

Sheesh, yoose folks ascared of a little wax must have some boring sex
lives... your own well scrubbed hand and a Kleenex.

Wax

Vegetable wax. Many plants have a natural wax coating that protects
them from heat and moisture. Carnauba wax, the hardest and most widely
used vegetable wax, coats the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It
remains solid in hot weather and is an important ingredient in
automobile wax and other polishes. Other vegetable waxes include
bayberry wax, candelilla wax, Japan wax, and sugar cane wax.

World Book Online Reference Center. 2006. World Book, Inc. 28 Jan. 2006

---

>>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.
>

Ok, I'll believe both of you and do some testing of my own

Sheldon wrote:
>...

Thanks, Sheldon.

For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.

--Blair

Blair P. Houghton wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>> ...
>
> Thanks, Sheldon.
>
> For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.
>
> --Blair
>
Actually, he was injecting some common sense into the argument.

"jake" > wrote in message
. nl...
>
>>>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.
>
> Ok, I'll believe both of you and do some testing of my own

Test all you want. But, all you really need to do is think. If pesticides
were completely water-based, they'd wash off with the first rainfall.
Farmers would need to use much more of them to maintain effectiveness, and
as a result, we'd all be dead by now.

"Blair P. Houghton" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Sheldon wrote:
>>...
>
> Thanks, Sheldon.
>
> For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.
>
> --Blair
>

Not only that, but he's also a stupid little ****. A multifaceted putz.

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
...
> Blair P. Houghton wrote:
>> Sheldon wrote:
>>> ...
>>
>> Thanks, Sheldon.
>>
>> For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.
>>
>> --Blair
>>
> Actually, he was injecting some common sense into the argument.

Ummm....no. Sheldon's trying to claim that pesticides are no more harmful
than the waxes applied to produce to prevent dehydration. Only a complete
idiot believes that.

Blair P. Houghton wrote:

> Sheldon wrote:
> >...
>
> Thanks, Sheldon.
>
> For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.


You can't refute anything he sez, Blair...mayhaps you have a prob with his
"presentation" ;-)

--
Best
Greg

"Gregory Morrow"
<gregorymorrowEMERGENCYCANCELLATIONARCHIMEDES@eart hlink.net> wrote in
message news
>
> Blair P. Houghton wrote:
>
>> Sheldon wrote:
>> >...
>>
>> Thanks, Sheldon.
>>
>> For proving once again you're an obstreperous asshole.
>
>
> You can't refute anything he sez, Blair...mayhaps you have a prob with his
> "presentation" ;-)
>
> --
> Best
> Greg
>
>

Sheldon is equating "wax" with other chemicals, which is simply ridiculous.

On 27 Jan 2006 15:53:39 -0800, "betsy" > wrote:

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

>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

Hi,

it's a looooong time ago I lived in California, I remember a
grapefruit tree in the neighbors garden, and orange trees standing in
the park on campus of UCD. For a European, this is the definition of
paradise.

I live in Germany now, and the next free-growing orange tree is down
in Spain.

Tx for your help,
Falk