By Lucy Brewer, Related Press
A latest survey discovered 42% of People favor to prepare dinner meals historically, like their elders. Sadly, whereas all of us love Grandma, bless her coronary heart, a lot of her recommendation round meals was based mostly on folklore and never testing, information and information. It could have been handed down with the perfect intentions, however that doesn’t imply it holds up right now.
A few of these previous beliefs are innocent, even charming. However others can do extra hurt than good. It’s time to let go of outdated kitchen habits and make room for strategies that truly work, grounded in what we now learn about meals security and cooking science. Listed below are a couple of of grandma’s extra egregious bits of knowledge that science has debunked.
Fable: Rinse uncooked rooster earlier than cooking
In case your grandma was well-known for her fried rooster recipe, likelihood is she rinsed it within the sink earlier than cooking it. Sadly, whereas the considered washing away micro organism is sweet, the execution doesn’t accomplish the specified outcome. All that occurs is the germs get splashed round your kitchen. Rinsing uncooked poultry can unfold contamination. Cooking it to 165 levels Fahrenheit? That’s what makes rooster secure.
Fable: Bread stays brisker within the fridge
Grandma in all probability refrigerated bread to stave off mildew since many older properties weren’t insulated properly, permitting dampness, which inspired mildew. However for freshness, sandwich bread, buttermilk biscuits and rolls needs to be saved on the counter in a bread field or frozen. Chilly temperatures trigger a recrystallization of the starch in bread, which causes moisture loss, and the bread turns into stale. Refrigerating bread looks as if a good suggestion, till you chew right into a slice that appears like cardboard.
Fable: Retailer tomatoes within the fridge
Placing tomatoes within the fridge may appear sensible, but it surely’s one of many quickest methods to damage a superbly good tomato. Researchers on the College of California, Davis, clarify that chilly temperatures mess with the enzymes that taste tomatoes, leaving them mealy and bland. Maintain them on the counter and out of direct daylight till they’re ripe.
Fable: Let scorching meals cool to room temperature
This one sticks round as a result of it sounds logical. However letting scorching meals sit out too lengthy provides micro organism the right likelihood to develop. The New York Occasions Cooking says it’s secure to refrigerate scorching meals. Nonetheless, Grandma was not completely flawed on this one, as there are some caveats.
You shouldn’t put scorching meals that’s in a scorching glass container within the fridge, because the sudden temperature change may trigger the glass to crack or shatter. You additionally wouldn’t wish to place a big pot of just-boiled rooster noodle soup within the fridge, because it may take a very long time to chill down, doubtlessly remaining within the temperature hazard zone for too lengthy. Transferring the new soup to smaller containers that may cool shortly is best.
Fable: Produce needs to be washed with cleaning soap
Nope, your apples don’t want a bubble tub. Utilizing cleaning soap on produce can go away behind residue you don’t wish to eat. A great rinse below chilly water and a fast scrub for something with thick pores and skin is all you want.
Fable: Watermelon seeds will sprout in your abdomen
It’s uncertain that many individuals imagine the adage about swallowing watermelon seeds as adults, however grandmothers usually warned youngsters to not swallow watermelon or apple seeds until they wished a fruit tree sprouting inside them. It’s a cute story, however pure fiction. In line with registered dietitians, seeds can cross by the digestive system with out challenge. Although apple seeds comprise hint quantities of amygdalin, you’d need to chew and eat an enormous quantity for it to be dangerous.
Nonetheless, if grandma instructed you that consuming uncooked seeds may provide you with a stomachache, she was spot on. Some of us might develop fuel, bloating or constipation.
Fable: Swallowing gum takes 7 years to digest
Whereas gum is designed to be chewed and never swallowed, the occasional unintended ingestion does happen. However that gum won’t stick round in your digestive system for seven years. Gum passes by your system like all the things else you eat.
Fable: Consuming bread crust makes your hair curly
There’s no science to help this one. Bread crusts gained’t change your hair texture, however they may comprise barely extra fiber and antioxidants than the remainder of the slice. Hair sort is set by genetics, not lunch.
Fable: By no means wash mushrooms
However Grandma, these mushrooms are soiled. Regardless of this prevalent fantasy, cooks and meals specialists say you could and will wash mushrooms in the event that they’re soiled. You may as well rub or brush the filth off mushrooms, however washing is faster and extra environment friendly. After which you must prepare dinner them as quickly as potential, since washing can harm the floor cells.
Fable: Add a potato to over-salted soup
A potato will absorb water, but it surely gained’t magically pull out salt. The KitchenMage examined this principle with a refractometer, and there was no change within the salinity of the soup after including a potato. The perfect repair is to dilute the soup or add a splash of acid to steadiness the saltiness.
Fable: Hair of the canine cures a hangover
Nicely, anyone had a enjoyable grandma, however that is nonetheless a fantasy. A bloody mary may really feel like a repair, but it surely’s simply kicking the can down the highway. The phrase originates from the supposition that generally the reason for an ailment may also be its greatest treatment. Nonetheless, whereas ingesting further alcohol might elevate your blood alcohol ranges sufficient to enhance your hangover signs briefly, the inevitable will nonetheless hit you as soon as all of it wears off. Medical doctors say your hangover could also be delayed, but it surely gained’t be prevented fully. Relaxation, meals and many water are nonetheless your greatest guess.
When you understand higher, do higher
As Maya Angelou mentioned, “When you know better, do better.” That is good observe to observe within the kitchen. Our grandmothers didn’t have entry to the rigorous science and testing analysis that exists right now. Years of knowledge give us a bonus in relation to meals security, storage and preparation. Grandma could be the perfect prepare dinner on the town, but it surely’s okay to vary a couple of issues (when she’s not trying).
Lucy Brewer is knowledgeable author and fourth-generation Southern prepare dinner who based Southern Meals and Enjoyable. She’s enthusiastic about preserving traditional Southern recipes whereas creating simple, crowd-pleasing dishes for the fashionable house prepare dinner. Lucy presently lives in Augusta, Ga.
Disclaimer: These statements haven’t been evaluated by the Meals and Drug Administration. The contents of this text are for informational functions solely and don’t represent medical recommendation. The content material introduced right here is just not supposed to be an alternative to skilled medical recommendation, analysis or remedy. At all times search the recommendation of a professional healthcare supplier with any questions you will have relating to a medical situation or dietary adjustments. Reliance on any info offered by this text is solely at your individual danger.
Initially Printed: June 23, 2025 at 7:43 AM PDT
