Grapes are a juicy fruit with high nutritional value, beneficial for health. They have a sweet and tangy flavor but are also very susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, during cultivation, farmers may use pesticides.

That’s why before eating grapes, you must make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove impurities and insect eggs. So, how should grapes be washed properly?

One of the most common mistakes people make when washing grapes is rinsing the whole bunch at once. Doing so makes it difficult to remove dirt and insect eggs lodged between the grapes.

Therefore, you should cut the grapes into individual berries before washing.

Cutting grapes before washing

Use scissors to cut the stem of each grape. Do not pluck grapes off by hand, as this can cause the skin to peel, allowing dirt and bacteria to stick to the flesh.

When cutting, leave a small portion of the stem attached to each grape.

Rinse with clean water

After separating the grapes, place them in a bowl, add water, and lightly rinse once to remove some of the dirt on the surface.

Soak grapes in rice water and baking soda

Pour rice water into a bowl and soak the grapes in it. The water should be enough to cover all the grapes. Rice water has mild alkalinity, which helps neutralize residual chemicals. It also helps remove dirt clinging to the grape skins.

Then, add about 1 tablespoon of baking soda to further clean the grapes and dissolve oil-based compounds (if present) on the skin.

The combination of rice water and baking soda enhances the cleaning effect.

Stir the grapes in the rice water and soak for about 5 minutes. You’ll notice the water becoming cloudy or dirt floating to the surface. Note: do not soak for too long, as it may make the grapes mushy.

If rice water is not available, you can add a little flour to the grapes, mix well, then add water and stir until the flour dissolves. After that, add baking soda as usual.

Rinse again with clean water

After soaking, scoop out the grapes and rinse them at least 2–3 times with clean water to remove any remaining residue.

Drain the grapes in a basket before serving them on a plate.

White powdery coating on grapes

Grapes may have a thin white coating on their skins. Many people mistake this for dirt or chemical residue. In fact, this is a natural bloom. Not only grapes but also cucumbers, plums, and other fruits can have this thin powdery layer. It is secreted naturally by the fruit to reduce water loss and protect against mold—a natural defense mechanism of plants.

This bloom is not harmful to humans, and the fruit does not need to be scrubbed completely clean to be safe. If some white powder remains after washing, there’s no need to worry.