Here are a few updates on checking for bugs.
1. GRAPES
The Otzar Beis Din seedless green grapes on the market now
are more wormy than grapes usually are.
To use the grapes: Cut up large or crowded clusters into
smaller bunches. Remove any rotting grapes or grapes with
holes in them.
Soak in soapy water (a few squirts of dishwashing liquid
dissolved in a basin of water) and rinse under a strong
stream of running water, making sure that the water gets
around every grape.
Look at each grape (may be done as you're eating). Any grape
with a hole, dark spot (larger than a dot), or dark shadow
should be cut open and checked inside for worms.
2. BEETS (BEETROOT)
In last week's newspaper there was an advertisement from the
Vaad Hakashrus of Shearis Yisroel warning about worms in
beets. It said, "The public should be aware that the variety
of red beets currently in the Israeli markets are infested
with bugs." The beets should be carefully checked before
use.
The procedure:
Cut off a 1/2 cm. slice across the top of the beet
(beetroot). Continue slicing across into slices about 1 cm.
thick. (Usually we say 1-2 cm., but for now, I would advise
using the narrower slice.) Check each slice on both sides,
looking for a hole where a worm tunneled his way down the
beet. Whenever a hole is found, it should be followed to its
end, by cutting alongside it or through it, to see if the
worm is still there. After removing the worm, the beet may
be used.
I found a little worm in a beet about 2 weeks ago by
following this procedure. He was white and much smaller than
the worms I've found in beets before (about 1 mm. long), but
he was quite easy to identify, as he was alive and
wriggling.
3. RAISINS
There's been a change in the instructions for yellow
California raisins. While in the past, these raisins used to
be in the category of mi'ut she'eino motzui and did
not have to be checked, during the past year yellow cocoons
have sometimes been found among the raisins. Therefore it is
now recommended that these raisins also be checked.
Procedure:
Put the raisins in a bowl and pour boiling water over them.
Soak them for at least 10 minutes. Swish around the raisins,
remove them, and check the water for yellow cocoons. If any
cocoons are found, you should wash the raisins well under
running water while rubbing them with your fingers. (With
other raisins, where we're checking for beetles, if
infestation is found we get rid of the whole package).
Tip: When buying yellow California raisins, look at the
raisins in the box. If the individual raisins are separate
from one another, it is more likely that they are clean
(although they still have to be soaked and checked). If
they're clumped together, there's a greater chance that
there are cocoons.
