What Happens When You Wash Strawberries The “Proper” Way

TikTok users are posting videos that show us how to properly wash strawberries to get all the icky bugs and dirt out of them

Loads of people are following the strawberry bug trend and sharing their own advice about washing berries

Here’s what the bugs look like from up close

@thatnatchats

y’all better WASH your strawberries ‼️😳😭 Comment what I should look at next! ✨🔬 #fyp #foryou #science

♬ Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa

“I always ask my fan base for suggestions about what I should look at next and I’ve been getting a lot of comments about strawberries,” Thatnatchats told. “I believed they wanted to see the seeds up close so I was very surprised to find bugs when looking at strawberries under a stereomicroscope. I didn’t learn about how to properly wash the strawberries until my comment section became very fearful and asked how to wash them. Other people replied and I’ve heard salt water, vinegar, and many different methods I have never heard of before.”

She said that she already had an audience of around 40k people from her past videos. However, Thatnatchats’ video about strawberries reached 2 million people on the very first day. “I was astonished that I had so many people seeing what I have seen. My family was taken back as well. When I went to school the next day, I had a couple of people approach me and say that they had no idea I was so popular on Tiktok. My fans jumped from 40k to 300k. It was crazy, to say the least, but everyone around me was very happy and proud that my passion for science and microscopes was being recognized.”

Thatnatchats explained that she completely understands the fear behind eating strawberries after finding out about the ‘truth,’ however, she also knows that it’s a natural thing. “These strawberries we eat grow out of the dirt and we shouldn’t avoid them. After all, I love strawberries! I do plan to try out all the methods of washing strawberries that TikTok has recommended.”

She added: “Nothing makes me happier to see a community such as Tiktok, coming together and sharing information. It’s like a family to me, really.”

You’ll see little critters show up if you soak your strawberries in salt water

https://www.tiktok.com/@selesteradcliffe/video/6828032941919079686

Some internet users suggest that you use cold water while others say that you should go for warm water for your berry-cleansing ‘ritual.’ Warm water makes more sense because salt will dissolve faster inside of it.

It’s not just bugs and dirt that we should be worried about. If the strawberries you bought aren’t organic but grown using pesticides, you’ll want to add some white vinegar to the water. That way, you’ll minimize the amount of chemicals you swallow.

At the end of the day, we’ve all been eating bugs for years and years—we just don’t think about it. You’ll find tiny pieces of insects everywhere, including in canned fruits and veggies.

Layla Eplett writes on the Scientific American Guest Blog that people on average ingest about “one to two pounds of flies, maggots, and other bugs each year without even knowing it.” While it’s unpleasant to think about, it’s harmless. After all, we’re still here, aren’t we? Just in case, though, wash your strawberries! Wash ‘em well.