Considered in ancient times as an antidote to anxiety and stress, grapes are one of the most appreciated fruits for their organoleptic characteristics and nutritional values.
According to reliable estimates, there are currently almost 8000 different species of grapes, produced by the plant called Vitis Vinifera. A climbing shrub with few branches and rather large five-lobed leaves and flowers grouped in inflorescences.
Its fruits, which are berries called grapes gathered in clusters, contain small seeds (grape seeds) from which many active ingredients are extracted which are also widely used in the phytotherapeutic sector. The main constituents of this fruit are the following:
- anthocyanosides;
- procyanidins;
- resveratrol;
- polyphenols;
- flavones and anthocyanins;
- minerals (potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron and manganese);
- vitamin A, B1 and B2, and vitamin C;
- polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Thanks to a balanced mix of these components, grapes are endowed with many useful functions for the organism. The system that is most affected by the advantages deriving from regular consumption of the fruit is undoubtedly the circulatory system. Since it performs an effective radioprotective action, especially at the level of the blood capillaries.
Furthermore, the remarkable concentration of antioxidant substances means that grapes are able to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals. Also slowing down the cellular aging processes and carrying out an antimutagenic activity. It manages to keep the cholesterol level under control. And helping to avoid hypertensive peaks resulting from the hardening of the vessels.
At the level of the digestive system, grapes improve digestive processes allowing for optimal intestinal transit following the mildly laxative action of its berries. Diuresis is more functional since the grains are made up of over 90% water. And therefore stimulate the body’s water exchange.
In summer, when the high temperatures stimulate sweating and therefore the elimination of water and mineral salts. Grapes are the most suitable fruit to rebalance these losses, avoiding the onset of dangerous metabolic imbalances.
But to benefit from all these beneficial properties, it is good to consume a fresh product and. Above all, be well washed in order to eliminate all the toxic substances present on the surface. Let’s see together what are the simple tricks to do about it!
How to wash grapes
When you have a bunch of grapes in your hands, you immediately feel the desire to taste its grains which, one after the other, are tasted. Unfortunately, very often it is not taken into account that their surface is covered with toxic substances. Such as pesticides and pesticides, the use of which is necessary to avoid the attack of various types of insects.
Rubbing the berries with your fingers (a very common habit) is certainly not enough to remove harmful compounds. And therefore it is essential to proceed with an adequate cleaning of the bunches. Grapes can be washed in various ways, both with pure water and with a mixture of water and vinegar or bicarbonate. But in any case, each grape must be treated with extreme care since harmful products often accumulate in correspondence with the stalk.
Among other things, we must not forget that grapes are one of the twelve agricultural products most contaminated with pesticides, substances. In addition to causing numerous disturbances to the organism, have a particularly long half-life and therefore are not easily eliminated.
Precisely for this reason, it is often not enough to wash the grapes only under running water. But they must be left to soak in specific bland disinfectant mixtures.
Washing of grapes with water
It is always a good idea to wash the grapes when you are about to eat them to prevent the stagnation of humidity from causing the grapes to rot. Once you have taken the quantity of fruit you intend to consume. It is necessary to place it under a jet of cold running water for at least 30 seconds, taking care to turn it over several times.
After this initial procedure, aimed at eliminating the coarsest part of the dirt. It is useful to rub each grape with your fingers, being careful not to squeeze them too much. A good way to thoroughly wash the beans under running water is to put them in the colander, leaving it for a few minutes under the jet.
When the grapes are particularly dirty (you can see this by observing the color of the skin which becomes whitish and opaque). It is advisable to leave it to soak for at least 5 minutes. It is essential to eliminate all the berries covered with broken peel. In addition to rotting more easily, they can be full of harmful microorganisms.
An essential procedure to do before eating grapes is to dry them with a paper towel. Or with a sheet of absorbent paper to eliminate all traces of pesticides and other harmful molecules. Only at this point, it is possible to taste the berries even without peeling them since their hygienic conditions are optimal as well as the flavor of the pulp which has not been altered at all.
Wash the grapes with blends
A valid alternative to washing grapes under running water is to wash the grapes with various mixtures, depending on the products available at home: water and vinegar; water and bicarbonate, water and lemon; water and Amuchina.
Mixture of water and vinegar
To effectively eliminate bacteria and parasites from the surface of the grains. It is a mixture obtained with 3 deciliters of water and 1 deciliter of apple cider vinegar, which is the most disinfectant, is usually used. To make the cleansing of the grapes even more effective, it is preferable to use lukewarm water, even that from the tap is fine.
The bunch must remain completely immersed in the liquid for at least 10 minutes. Subsequently, it is better to pass the grapes under a jet of running water for 1 minute. And then dry them with a cloth or paper napkins, to eliminate the smell of vinegar.
It is always advisable to wait at least ten minutes before eating the grains from the vinegar. Even if diluted, could leave some traces on the peel. However, being a volatile substance, it easily disperses in the air.
Mixture of water and bicarbonate
The sodium bicarbonate is a salt that can be used either alone or mixed with the common table salt (sodium chloride): This is a compound in the form of a powder that must be dissolved in water with a ratio of 1: 3. Corresponding to one measure of salt and three of water.
Baking soda is a basically alkaline compound, with high cleaning power and sanitizing. It can eliminate all microorganisms and all pesticides on the grape skins. It is necessary to detach the berries from the bunch and place them in a clean bowl containing the aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, leaving them still for at least one minute.
Subsequently, the bunch must be treated with a vegetable brush. Consisting of very soft bristles that do not break the skin of the berries but clean it perfectly. The soaking phase with water and bicarbonate serves to dissolve the harmful substances deposited on the grapes, which in most cases tend to dry out and therefore adhere very much.
After brushing it, the fruit is ready to be eaten, even without removing the peel.
Mixture of water and lemon
Unlike bicarbonate which has a basic pH, lemon produces an essentially acidic juice, whose low pH is very effective as a natural disinfectant. By cleaning the grapes with a mixture of three deciliters of water and one deciliter of lemon. Perfect cleaning of the berries is determined, which, even without rinsing, can be eaten.
Those who love the sour taste of lemon will especially appreciate the taste of the beans cleaned with this blend, which leaves extremely pleasant aromatic traces. To make the grapes washed in this way even more fragrant. Some peels of the fruit can also be added to the container containing the mixture of water and lemon, which help to create an appetizing dessert.
Among other things, lemon is very rich in vitamin C and therefore allows grapes to strengthen their vitamin reserves.
Mixture of water and Amuchina
An excellent suggestion to be sure of perfectly cleansing the bunches of grapes is to use a mixture consisting of two deciliters of water and two deciliters of Amuchina, taking care to choose the one in solution. In this case, it is advisable to detach the grapes from the bunch, taking care not to break the skin at any point. And then put them in a colander which is in turn inserted into a bowl.
At this point, it is necessary to cover everything with the solution of water and Amuchina. The grapes must be left to soak for at least twenty minutes. Remembering to lift the colander every five minutes to stir the grapes it contains.
At the end of the treatment, it is advisable to place the colander under the tap. Even better if equipped with a mixer, to completely rinse the grapes and eliminate all traces of Amuchina. Although not absolutely toxic, this substance can leave not particularly pleasant aromatic traces that it is always preferable to eliminate with a careful rinse.
