A recent study conducted by a food scientist at the University of Massachusetts found that a 15-minute soak in a 1 percent baking soda solution removed 20 percent of one common pesticide from apples and 4.4 percent of another. This sounded like an easy and promising method for getting rid of at least some pesticide residue from produce, so we decided to give it a try.
Can Baking Soda Remove Pesticides from Produce?
Experiment
First, we purchased pesticide detection cards that can identify commonly used pesticides. (The cards detect pesticides that fall into two general types based on their chemistry: carbamates and organophosphates.) Each card contains a white disk and a pink disk. The white disk is pressed onto the test area; after giving the chemicals in it time to react, the pink disk is pressed against the white disk so that a second reaction can occur. The presence of pesticide residue is indicated by the degree to which the disk changes from white to blue. If the disk stays white, this indicates a high concentration of pesticide residue. But if the disk turns blue, this indicates very little to no residue.
For our experiment, we chose grapes, which (like apples) are among the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables most likely to have pesticide residue even after washing. First we used the cards to confirm that there were indeed pesticides on the surface of the grapes. We then submerged some of the grapes in the baking soda solution and set a timer for 15 minutes. While we waited, we tried other cleaning methods with the remaining grapes: swirling them in the solution for just 30 seconds, rinsing them under cold running water, and soaking them in a vinegar solution.
Results
After each treatment, we rinsed the grapes in water, dried them, and applied the test cards. Soaking and swirling in the baking soda solution were the only two methods that turned the cards blue, indicating that both were effective at removing pesticides. That’s because carbamate and organophosphate pesticides tend to break down in alkaline solutions.
One thing to keep in mind: The baking soda solution will remove only certain classes of pesticides. Spray pesticides that are designed to be absorbed cannot be rinsed away; neither can those that are applied to a plant’s roots.
Takeaway
Exposing fruit or vegetables to a baking soda solution is not a silver bullet for removing all pesticides. But it still removes some common types, and because the method is fast and easy, we’re still inclined to use it. Here’s how:
Swirl produce in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda per 1 quart water for 30 seconds (the produce should be submerged in at least 1 inch of water), and then rinse under cold running water.
10,000+ foolproof recipes and why they work Taste Tests of supermarket ingredients Equipment Reviews save you money and time Videos including full episodes and clips Live Q&A with Test Kitchen experts
Start Free TrialAbsolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too. I've done this using a rimmed sheet pan instead of a skillet and put veggies and potatoes around the chicken for a one-pan meal. Broccoli gets nicely browned and yummy!
Absolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too.
Amazed this recipe works out as well as it does. Would not have thought that the amount of time under the broiler would have produced a very juicy and favorable chicken with a very crispy crust. Used my 12" Lodge Cast Iron skillet (which can withstand 1000 degree temps to respond to those who wondered if it would work) and it turned out great. A "make again" as my family rates things. This is a great recipe, and I will definitely make it again. My butcher gladly butterflied the chicken for me, therefore I found it to be a fast and easy prep. I used my cast iron skillet- marvellous!
John, wasn't it just amazing chicken? So much better than your typical oven baked chicken and on par if not better than gas or even charcoal grilled. It gets that smokey charcoal tasted and overnight koshering definitely helps, something I do when time permits. First-time I've pierced a whole chicken minus the times I make jerk chicken on the grill. Yup, the cast iron was not an issue.