Does salt water help to keep fruit from browning?

I've never heard of using salt water. It seems that would just be another way to get more unwanted sodium into your diet. I add lemon juice to a bowl of ice water when I'm slicing apples, then I dip the slices in the lemon water and that keeps them from browning. I'm not sure why this works, but it works very well. I heard it from my mother and from several sites and books while making my own baby food. By the way, the lemon juice in no way alters the flavor of the fruit.

Michawn
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February 14, 20070 found this helpful

Yes a soak in salt water helps the browning from happening, although you must rinse off the salt water. Acidid juices do not have to be rinsed off and sometimes can give your fruit a really good flavor.

Good feedback on the salt water with fruit. I can't keep fruit peeled long enough for it to turn brown. You can tell that with only two people in my house not a lot of food is served homemade. I do know that potatoes will turn black looking if you don't cook then right after peeling. Thank goodness Mother taught me to put cold water over potatoes if I wasn't going to slice them right after peeling. Nothing like a dark red/brown or blackened potato to make a person want to go on a diet.

michaela

September 8, 20070 found this helpful

I use orange juice when cutting apples to save for later ,you just drain off the juice when you are ready to serve

Well, I did a science fair project and soaked an apple in salt water for four weeks and it still turned brown, but that's a different matter. Vinegar preserves the looks, but I don't know about the taste.

Cleona Vassell

February 14, 20090 found this helpful

I'm no expert but I've always seen my mother used lime juice on ground provisions like yams, or potatoes if she is going to store them in freezer. When it comes to cooking for ex. cooking potato, bananas in boiling water a little salt will help keep the food from becoming discolored.