How many kinds of wax are there on the fruit skin? How to identify waxed fruits?

Most fruits have very good edible efficacy and nutritional value, so people can often see fruits in their daily diet. However, when eating fruit, many people are curious about the wax on the fruit skin, because many people will say that the wax on the fruit skin is inedible, so how many kinds of wax are there on the fruit skin? How to identify waxed fruits?

1, the wax on the peel mainly

1, the fruit wax secreted by the fruit itself (harmless)

In the process of fruit growth, the epidermis will secrete a layer of fruit wax, which can prevent external microorganisms and pesticides from invading the pulp and protect the fruit to some extent. Because it is the fruit wax secreted by the fruit itself, it is safe and harmless to the human body. If fresh fruits are stored or transported for a long time after ripening, the skin will wrinkle easily. At this time, it is necessary to wax the fruit by hand to keep it fresh, prevent water evaporation and increase luster. After waxing, germs are not easy to invade, so it can prevent corrosion and insects.

2. Artificial addition of edible wax (harmless)

Waxing fruits with edible wax is an internationally permitted preservation method. In developed countries and regions such as the United States, Japan and Europe, there are mature technological processes and norms for fruit waxing. According to China's Hygienic Standard for the Use of Food Additives, waxing is allowed on the surface of fruits, but the specified additives must be used and added appropriately according to production needs. This additive is edible wax, and its components are animal gum or vegetable gum, which is non-toxic. Edible wax is a natural wax extracted from animals and plants, and its safety has been evaluated. Commonly used edible waxes include palm wax and beeswax. Many fruits can be waxed. Take oranges for example. The orange just picked from the tree has dust on its surface. Generally, fruit farmers will wash them first and then wax them with machines. Some large citrus processing enterprises have a device called "fruit cleaning and waxing machine", which can automatically clean, disinfect, wax and dry the screened oranges.

3. Artificial non-edible wax (harmful)

In order to make the fruit look bright and smooth, some black-hearted vendors will color the fruit with various dyes and then coat the fruit with a layer of wax. This can make the fruit look fresher, even if it is not sold out in a short time. In order to reduce the cost, this kind of wax is generally industrial wax with complex components, which may contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Excessive intake will be harmful to human health.

2. How to identify waxed fruits?

1, look at the peel:

A good peel is delicate, elastic and natural in color. The surface of waxed fruit looks particularly red, and the skin is rough, with spots and powder.

2. Smell:

The unwashed fruit tastes fresh and has a faint aroma. If the medicine tastes strong, preservatives and wax are used more.

3. Touch the fruit:

Natural fresh fruits are hard and elastic to pinch, while waxed fruits are sticky to the touch because they contain preservatives and wax components.

4, judge the types of wax:

If you judge what kind of wax is used to wax oranges, you can choose to wipe them with a white paper towel. If it is reddish powder, it may be industrial wax. If the paper towel leaves inconspicuous white powder after wiping, it is usually edible wax.

3. How to wash apples

Tip 1: After the apple is soaked in water, put a little salt on the apple skin, and then gently rub it back and forth with both hands. Dirty things on the surface can be cleaned quickly, and then washed with water, so you can eat with confidence. According to experts, the principle of this cleaning is to use the small particle state of salt to enhance friction, and the salt is also very clean.

Tip 2: Prepare a small pot, put some starch in it, and then wash the apples. This method is also suitable for cleaning pears and grapes, and the surface of fruits is not easy to change color. Especially cleaning grapes is very easy to use, because it is very difficult to clean grapes, and hard cleaning will destroy the original state of grapes.

Tip 3: Apply toothpaste to the surface of apples as a cleaner. This method is also very useful. It's also a good idea to wash apples with hot water, so it's easy to wash off the preservatives on the skin of apples.

Tip 4: It is best to buy a special lotion for washing fruits in the supermarket. Experts advise not to use the detergent with poor quality, because if you use the detergent with poor quality, you will not be able to clean it, and there may be chemicals harmful to your health.