There are dozens of myths about food relating to anything from health & hygiene, taste and freshness. Here are a few of our very own Myth Busters!
Can a ripe banana help to ripen other fruit? TRUE Bananas emit ethylene gas as they ripen which can help to ripen other fruits when placed together (in the fruit bowl!). When banana skins are placed in the compost bin, it can also speed up the composting process.
Should you wash mushrooms? FALSE Mushrooms are very porpous and have high water content. Washing them or soaking in water will only add to this and it is thought to reduce their flavour. Mushrooms are best cleaned by brushing off any excess dirt or wiping clean with a damp cloth.
Is it safe to eat green potatoes? SOMETIMES When exposed to light, metabolic activity in the skin of potatoes increases as it prepares to send out new shoots. This process forms chlorophyll which turns the potato green in colour. Solanine is also formed which is a toxin and if eaten in large quantities can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
If there is only a few green spots you can trim the potato, however if the whole potato is green it is best to throw it out. (Just buy potatoes fresh from the markets and you won’t have this problem!)
Cut onions attract bacteria when stored in the fridge? FALSE Bacteria has minimal mobility and usually travels in water droplets such as sneezing & wet cloths. It is unlikely that this will occur in the fridge. Onions are also high in acidity from the sulphuric acid, which is not conducive to bacteria growth (vinegar for example is used in preservation). Furthermore bacteria tend to grow more easily on high protein foods (protein is almost non-existent in onions). Some bacteria will grow on onions if left long enough, however it is not high risk and is always visible.
It's okay to thaw meat in warm water. FALSE A warm defrosting bath runs the risk of bacteria forming which in warm conditions will multiply quickly. It is also thought that this method does not allow meat to defrost evenly; the inside may be frozen whilst the outside is susceptible to bacteria growth
Eggs need to be refrigerated? SOMETIMES
Eggs have a natural protective layer on the outside which preserves them for a long period of time. Often retailers wash off this protective layer to eliminate bacteria that may have developed from contact with faeces or other contaminants. The downside is that this reduces their shelf life.
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