They’re red, delicious, and ripe for the picking, but is it okay to eat an apple right off the tree when apple picking? Technically, no — it’s not ideal. Even though that apple may look clean, it’s been growing outdoors and can be exposed to bacteria from animals, soil, water, or even people handling the fruit. If you’re at an orchard, there may also have been pesticide sprays used on the trees. The best-case scenario is that you consume something……well…..yucky. The worst case, of course, is that you get sick. That’s why rinsing the apple first is the best way to go. What about if you go to an organic farm that doesn’t use pesticides? Still, no. Organic versus non-organic doesn’t change the risk of bacterial contamination. So, is there a proper way to clean apples off in the orchard so they’re safe? The answer is yes. The old “rinse ’n’ rub” is enough to reduce dirt and bacteria on the surface of the apple. Many orchards have washing stations available, sometimes right in the picking area. Plain running water is best. If you’re going apple picking, consider bringing a bottle of water or a small spray bottle so you can rinse the apples before eating them. For those of you who are wondering if you have to rinse apples you buy in the grocery store, the answer is still yes. Even if apples were rinsed during packing, they can still pick up dirt or bacteria during transportation or at the grocery store.
