White powder on the plum skin, is it sugar? Or is it pesticide?

 

 

A substance that protects the cornea... It's okay to eat.

The white powder on the skin of the plum is called 'fruit powder' (果粉). Fruit powder is a substance that protects the peel (fruit skin), and consuming it poses no health problems. It can also be easily seen on the skins of other fruits such as grapes and blueberries. According to the Rural Development Administration, as the fruit grows in size, it develops a waxy layer that acts as a protective barrier to safeguard the epidermal cells. Subsequently, the white powder called fruit powder is produced on top of the wax layer. The wax layer and fruit powder are collectively called the cuticle layer, which is composed of components such as alcohols, esters, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons. In particular, when fruit powder is well produced, the fruit is generally high in sugar content and has an attractive appearance, which is known to increase its commercial value.

If you are confused about the residue of pesticides or excess sugar appearing on the skin, carefully examine whether there are any stains on the surface. Excess sugar appears as a uniform coating on the skin, like sprinkled sugar powder. However, if pesticides remain, you may see stains that look like water droplets dried on the skin or streaks as if water droplets have run down. Nonetheless, stains on the skin cannot be automatically assumed to be pesticide residue. They can also occur when nutrients are sprayed or when rain leaves water droplet marks on the skin. According to experts, since domestically distributed fruits have set pesticide residue standards, the likelihood of pesticide residue remaining is low.

Since plums are fruits that are eaten with the skin on, it is best to wash them thoroughly before eating. Soak the plums in cold water, then gently scrub and rinse under running water. Scrubbing with excessive force can cause the plums to bruise. Mixing vinegar and water in a 1:10 ratio and rinsing is also a good method. Although dilute, it effectively removes residual pesticides left on the skin. Plums can be stored at room temperature for 4 to 5 days. However, if you want to store them for a longer period, place them in a plastic bag and keep them in the refrigerator. Nonetheless, because the storage period is short, avoid keeping them for too long.