The apple peel is rich in vitamin C, pectin, and polyphenols, making it the most nutritious part of the apple. However, eating apples with the peel on always makes people worry about whether they are washed clean enough, especially for those shiny apples, which are said to be waxed. How can you wash apples to feel more at ease?
The surface of a fresh apple naturally has a layer of fruit wax, but it is also covered with a thin layer of fruit powder, so it is not very shiny. To make apples look better and easier to store, many people wax and polish them. If industrial wax is used, the impurities in it can often be harmful to the human body. Therefore, it is best to remove the wax from the peel to eat it more safely.
To remove the wax from the peel, you don't necessarily have to peel the apple. There are other good methods that preserve the nutrients and are simple and easy. The first method is to rinse with hot water. Wax melts when it encounters heat, and a layer of wax film will float on the water surface. As long as you pour away the hot water in time, the wax won't stick back to the peel. The second method is to scrub with salt. Wax has a soft texture and can be scrubbed off with a loofah. The fine grains of salt are more effective at removing the fruit wax than a loofah when scrubbing.
Finally, a reminder: fresh apples sold at the time do not need to be treated with preservatives, so it is relatively safe to eat the peel. Apples from abroad and out-of-season apples must be treated with preservatives, so it is best to peel them before eating.