With the New Year approaching, many citizens have started preparing for the holiday by buying festive goods and gifts. As a representative of healthy gifts, various fruits and fruit baskets have become the top choice for shoppers in Guangzhou. However, noticing that many fruits in these baskets are shiny, some citizens can't help but wonder: Are these fruits waxed? Could the wax applied to the peel seep into the flesh and be eaten? In response, experts have stated that waxing is one of the most common methods for preserving fruit and generally does not pose safety issues. However, to be on the safe side, it is best to peel the fruit before eating it.
“Although my family believes that eating fruit is healthy and we often buy fresh fruit, I'm always very cautious before eating it. I have to rinse it under running water for a long time, and I always make sure to peel it completely. Only then do I feel a bit more at ease when I eat it,” Ms. Chen, a citizen, told reporters. She mentioned that she once bought dyed fruit at the market and had the experience of eating the peel, which was astringent; as for buying waxed fruit, that was a common occurrence. According to the reporter's investigation and interviews, citizens like Ms. Chen who have encountered dyed and waxed fruit are not uncommon in Guangzhou. Most of them expressed concerns about safety. Professor Jiang Zhuoqin from the Department of Nutrition at Sun Yat-sen University commented that waxing is a common method for preserving fruit, mainly to prevent it from rotting. Generally, it is not a big problem because wax is relatively stable, not easily soluble in water, and does not easily penetrate the flesh. However, Professor Jiang also reminded that there are instances in the market where industrial wax is used to wax fruit, and in such cases, consumers must pay special attention to the fruit's safety. “Industrial wax may contain heavy metals and some unknown chemical substances, some of which may seep into the flesh. Therefore, when eating fruits with peels, it is best to remove the peel to prevent eating the wax. For fruits that are eaten with the peel, such as guavas, strawberries, plums, grapes, and cherries, it is important to choose those that have not been waxed,” Professor Jiang stated. Professor Jiang said that it is relatively easy to tell if a fruit has been waxed. Waxed fruits have a very noticeable shine and feel particularly smooth to the touch. Alternatively, you can try to light the fruit's outer skin with a flame; if the skin melts slightly, it has been waxed. Also, fruits that are particularly water-resistant when rinsed are generally waxed.
Little Knowledge
“Look, Smell, Ask, and Feel” to Choose Good Fruit. Waxing is just a man-made method to extend the shelf life of fruit. In fact, besides waxing, many fruits have their own issues. If you are not careful when buying, you can easily end up with 'bad fruit' at home. By following the methods below, you can easily select ripe, delicious, and undamaged fruit.
One “Look”: Size, Shape, and Color. Good fruit is generally of medium size. Fruits that are too small may be underdeveloped and often sour; those that are too large may be overgrown, possibly with parts that shouldn't have grown so big. It's always a good idea to pick fruits that are closest to the description of their species in botanical taxonomy. Good fruit also has uniform color. If a fruit has two colors that are too different (e.g., deep red and deep green), it will likely be either sour, astringent, or overly sweet. If the fruit has black or brown spots, it's best to avoid it.
Two “Smell”: Aroma. Ripe fruits emit a unique fragrance. You can smell the bottom of the fruit; the stronger the aroma, the sweeter the fruit is.
Three “Ask”: Growth Period. Collect information on the growth periods, conditions, and environments of the fruits you commonly eat. This will improve your ability to discern quality when selecting them.
Four “Feel”: Touch, Press, and Water Test. This mainly applies to fruits that need to be peeled, such as citrus and watermelon. You should touch them carefully. A surface that is too rough indicates a thick peel, as roughness is caused by the proliferation of peel tissue. However, a surface that is too smooth may mean the fruit is not yet ripe. When selecting, you can gently press the fruit to judge both the thickness of the peel and its degree of ripeness. Additionally, you can use the principle of buoyancy in water to determine the freshness of the fruit. As fruit ripens, pectin and fruit acids degrade, the spaces between cells become larger, and the fruit's volume increases. The cavities also fill with gas, so the density decreases. When placed in water, unripe fruit will sink, while ripe fruit will float.