If you wash wooden utensils like this without thinking, they'll be covered in bacteria.

Wooden spoons are often used when eating yogurt or pouring milk over cereal. Wooden utensils, including wooden spoons, cutting boards, and spatulas, are lightweight and environmentally friendly. However, care must be taken, as improper care can lead to the growth of food poisoning bacteria.

 

◇Bacteria can easily multiply in cracks

 

Wooden utensils are susceptible to bacterial growth.

 

Wood, due to its inherent nature, has microscopic crevices, allowing food debris to easily become trapped. In fact, according to a 2020 study by a research team at the University of Hong Kong, the surface of wood contains microscopic pores and crevices, allowing bacteria to easily penetrate. For example, if the surface of a wooden cutting board is not properly cleaned, food debris can accumulate in the crevices, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth.

 

When raw foods like undercooked fish, raw chicken, and beef come into contact with the cutting board, the risk of cross-contamination increases. Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of contaminants like salmonella and E. coli between food and the cutting board surface. A study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that food poisoning bacteria like campylobacter and E. coli can survive in the pores of a wooden cutting board for anywhere from two hours to several days.

◇ Wash with lukewarm water instead of kitchen detergent

 

Wooden utensils should not be washed with dish detergent, no matter how well they are rinsed with water.

 

Even if you do, detergent can still remain in the crevices. The correct way to clean is with lukewarm water. Dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in water, apply it to a soft sponge, and gently scrub the wooden tableware. If baking soda isn't available, a mixture of 9 parts rice water and 1 part vinegar will also work.

 

Then, wash the wooden utensils with water containing a small amount of vinegar, and rinse them several times with clean water. . Hot water is a no-no at this time. Hot water on wood will cause the cracks to widen, making it easier for food residue to seep in. After washing, be sure to dry thoroughly. Mold can easily grow on wooden utensils that aren't properly dried. Wipe off any water from the utensils with a dry cloth and let them dry in a cool, shaded area.

 

 

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I've been looking at wooden utensils lately because of Greek yogurt.

It's difficult to manage...

Just used it

I guess I'll have to use it as is.