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Mold Spots: When Should You Throw Away Food?

Moldy spots on food not only look unappetizing, but they can also be dangerous: the toxins they contain can damage the liver and kidneys and even be carcinogenic. However, mold does not mean that you have to throw away every food item. For some, it is sufficient to generously remove the spoiled area. EAT SMARTER presents the most important foods.

Jam

The fruity spread sweetens the morning on bread or waffles. Even mold on the jam can’t spoil a good start to the day – if the ratio of fruit and sugar is 50:50. Only then can the mold be generously removed and the spread continued to be eaten without hesitation.

The situation is different with jams, which contain more fruit than sugar: These are no longer edible, even after generous removal of the mold, as the mold spores may have spread throughout the entire product – even if they are not visible to the naked eye. In this case, the food should be thrown away.

Bread

“Until now, we have advised to cut out the mold over a large area from a whole loaf, as an infestation with mycotoxins outside the visible area on bread has not yet been detected,” explains certified ecotrophologist Antje Gahl from the DGE. In case of doubt, however, it is better to throw away the moldy bread than to remove it. In the case of individual slices of bread that contain mold, this applies anyway and they must be disposed of immediately.

Cheese

Sliced ​​cheese is a food that should be discarded if it has mold on it. If, on the other hand, a whole piece of cheese is infected, the corresponding area can be generously removed and the cheese can then be eaten anyway.

Fruit Vegetable

If moldy spots are discovered on fruit or vegetables, these foods are unfortunately only for the bin. Due to their high water content, the mold spores spread particularly well and quickly, which is why spoiled fruit and vegetables should never be eaten or processed.

With potatoes, it should also be noted that the green spots that appear must be cut out generously in any case. They contain the natural toxin solanine. This can lead to health problems such as headaches, diarrhea, or vomiting. For this reason, the already boiled potato cooking water should also be discarded and not processed further.

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Using Old Coffee Grounds: 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Throw Them Away

Many people can’t start the day without coffee – but what to do with all the used coffee grounds? We have 10 reasons for you why you shouldn’t get rid of him.

#1 Coffee grounds as a plastic-free scrub

Exfoliating the whole body from old coffee beans not only makes skin supple and smooth, but is also good for the environment. On the one hand, you save on the plastic packaging of the packed scrub, and on the other hand, your skin does not come into contact with microplastics or other unnatural ingredients. For the peeling, simply mix the coffee grounds with olive or coconut oil to create a crumbly paste and then use it in the shower.

#2 Touch up furniture scratches with coffee grounds

Moistening the coffee grounds slightly, mixing them with oil and then applying them to the scratches with a sponge or cotton swab will make most scratches invisible. The coffee grounds fill the grooves and the oil then closes them. Of course, this method is particularly suitable for dark furniture.

#3 Coffee grounds against unpleasant odors

The fridge smells like tuna, old cheese or other groceries? The coffee grounds can help because they neutralize unpleasant odors. Instead of disposing of the leftover coffee grounds, you can simply place them in a bowl in the fridge or kitchen. It almost magically attracts unpleasant smells.

#4 Coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer

Because coffee grounds contain many important nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus or nitrogen, they can also be used as fertilizer for indoor and garden plants. Hydrangeas, roses and blueberries in particular grow very well with coffee grounds. A positive side effect is that the coffee fertilizer attracts earthworms, which are known to loosen the soil and supply it with additional nutrients. However, you should be careful, because the coffee grounds must be completely dry, otherwise the plants can start to get moldy.

#5 Coffee grounds as snail protection

Because larger amounts of coffee can be deadly for snails, the molluscs try to avoid coffee and anything related to it. It is best to spread the coffee grounds in a ring around the beloved plants so that the snails are not tempted in the first place.

#6 Dye Easter eggs with coffee grounds

Instead of buying extra dye, you can simply use the coffee grounds for the brown color when dyeing eggs. Simply boil 50 to 70 grams of coffee grounds with two liters of water and simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add the raw eggs and wait another 10 minutes.

#7 Coffee grounds as an abrasive

Coffee grounds effectively clean burnt-in dirt, dirty grill grates and greasy baking tins. It’s easy to use: simply place the coffee grounds on a sponge, scrub the relevant surfaces and then rinse off with clear water. Deposits in bottles or thermos flasks can also be removed with coffee grounds: Simply put one or two tablespoons in the container, pour in hot water and leave to work.

#8 Coffee grounds as a hair treatment

Strong and shiny hair thanks to caffeine – just add some coffee grounds to your regular shampoo and lather the shampoo as usual. This trick is particularly recommended for dark hair types, since the coffee grounds are easier to see on very light hair.

#9 Reading the future with coffee grounds

The art of reading coffee grounds is said to originally go back to the Ottomans. A coffee with a lot of coffee grounds, for example a mocha, is ideal for this. Here you turn the coffee cup (preferably after drinking) on ​​the saucer. After a few minutes you can turn the cup over again and interpret the resulting patterns and lines accordingly. Depending on the interpretation, exciting messages of fate can be derived from this. Anyone who wants to take coffee grounds reading a bit more seriously should read something about it in a corresponding book.

#10 Clean the chimney with coffee grounds

Cozy winter evenings in front of the fireplace with a hot drink and a good book: the next day you usually just don’t feel like shoveling all the ashes out of the fireplace and cleaning everything. If you spread damp coffee grounds on the fireplace ash, the ash can be removed without any problems the next day.

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Do Not Throw Away The Cucumber Skins: You Can Still Use The Leftovers For This

Do you also peel your cucumber before eating it? Then don’t throw away the bowl in the future. Because this can be used in many ways. Whether for consumption, the skin or as a cleaning agent, cucumber peels are a real all-rounder.

Do not put cucumber peel in the compost: you can still use it for that

You will be amazed what else you can do with the cucumber peels. Without any extra effort, they are useful helpers in everyday life.

Smoothies with cucumber peels

If you like to drink a smoothie in the morning or in between, you can also mix the remaining cucumber peel into the drink. They give the smoothie a fresh taste and also enrich it with an extra portion of vitamins.

Salad with cucumber peels

In addition to sunflower or pumpkin seeds, cucumber peels are also suitable as an extra topping in the salad. Because these also make the meal particularly crunchy and add vitamins to it. In addition, with a bit of skill, the bowls also provide a visual highlight.

Recipes for cucumber salad – peeled or unpeeled

Especially in summer, a cucumber salad is a delicious side dish when grilling. You are welcome to use the cucumbers unpeeled so as not to lose the fiber and vitamins.
The shake cucumber salad is particularly suitable for an invitation to a barbecue or picnic, as it is prepared in a practical container for on the go.

Fight dark circles with cucumber peels

Cucumber peels also help against stress and fatigue, which can be seen in the eyes. Place strips of the bowl under your eyes for ten minutes while relaxing. Lie down and close your eyes. Afterwards you will not only look fresher, but also feel fresher.

Removing stains with cucumber peels

Cucumber peels as a stain remover? It’s actually possible. Above all, they are suitable for stains on walls, for example from pens. To do this, simply rub the peel over the appropriate area. However, the trick should first be tested on an inconspicuous area.

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Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels: You Can Still Use Them For That

You shouldn’t throw away banana peels because you can still use them for many different things. We’ll show you great tricks on how you can still use the banana peels.

Bananas are often contaminated with many pesticides. Therefore, you should always buy organic bananas, as the pesticide residues are low or non-existent. This is especially important if you’re going to reuse the peel, as it contains most of the pesticides, not the fruit itself.

Use banana peels as fertilizer

The banana peel is a great fertilizer for the garden: more than ten percent of the peel consists of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. It also contains some nitrogen and sulfur – good for many plants. Here’s how you do it:
Cut the peel into small pieces so that it will decompose faster later.
Now you can lay the bowl in the sun to dry or spread it out straight away.
It is best to mix the banana peel pieces a little under the soil between the roots. Perennial plants and flowers, such as roses, are particularly happy about the banana peels.
The guideline is about 100 g of banana peel per plant – but over-fertilizing is actually not possible.

Banana peel against dust on indoor plants

If you don’t have a garden, you can also use the banana peels to care for the leaves of your houseplants. The banana peel binds the dust – ideal for indoor plants in winter.

To do this, rub the inside (where the pulp is) over the leaves.
The dust then sticks to the sticky inside of the banana peel.
In addition, the banana peel gives the plant a new shine and ensures that dust cannot settle so quickly.
Tip: If you cut up the banana peels and put them in the flower pot of your houseplant, you also prevent aphid infestation and other pests.

Polish leather with banana peel

What works with the leaves of the plant also works with the leather couch:
Simply rub the inside of the banana peel over the leather.
Then polish the spot again with a dry cloth.
Then the leather shines again.
By the way, you can not only polish leather with banana peels, but also silver, chrome and stainless steel.

Whiten your teeth with banana peels

Banana peels are a natural bleach, but they are not as harsh as citric acid, for example. That’s why the shell is also good for whitening your teeth:
You have to rub the inside of the banana peel into your teeth for about two minutes every day.
After about 14 days, your teeth will be significantly lighter.
This method is also suitable for removing light stains on the teeth.

Banana peel against acne and blemishes

Anyone suffering from acne and other skin blemishes can rely on the power of the banana peel. Because it not only contains many minerals such as zinc and iron, but also vitamins and antioxidants. The starch contained in the banana binds the oil that clogs the pores.

First clean and dry your face

Rub the banana peel on the pimple or affected area of ​​skin for several minutes at night.
You can then wash off the residue the next morning.
However, it is important that you use ripe bananas and treat the acne with banana peels for at least 14 days.

Beautiful through banana peels

Not only are banana peels a tried-and-true acne remedy, the peels have even more tricks up their sleeves:
Anti-wrinkle agent: Because the banana peel contains antioxidants, it prevents premature aging of the skin. Rubbing the inside of your eyes and on your forehead can tighten your skin.
Against warts: The enzymes in the banana peel naturally help warts to disappear again. Place a piece of banana peel on the wart and secure it with a band-aid. After 7 to 10 days, the wart has receded. You should replace the shell every three days.
Painkillers: The oil in banana peels can relieve pain from burns. To do this, simply wrap the peel over the affected areas of skin.

Ripe avocados with banana peels

Avocados are either overripe or rock hard. Anyone who knows the problem can use banana peels to speed up the ripening process, at least with hard avocados: bananas contain the ripening gas ethylene. That’s why you can simply add the banana peels to the avocados and have a ripe avocado within 24 to 48 hours.

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Eat The Kernels: You Should Not Throw Away These Fruit Seeds

You can easily eat the pits from many fruits, even some varieties that you might not expect to eat. We’ll show you which seeds you can eat – and how healthy they can even be.

For most people, throwing away the pits of watermelons or apples is quite normal. You can also eat them and not only minimize leftovers, but also benefit from the valuable ingredients.

Eat the kernels too: Concern about the hydrocyanic acid

Again and again we are warned against eating the seeds of certain fruits. The so-called amygdalin is particularly important. Amygdalin becomes toxic hydrocyanic acid in the body and is found primarily in the seeds of the following types of fruit:
Apple
apricot
avocado
pear
date
cherry
mango
nectarine
peach
plum
In fact, hydrocyanic acid can lead to poisoning and even death. Nevertheless, you don’t have to worry about it if you want to eat fruit stones more often in the future. In most cases, in order to poison yourself, you would have to ingest extremely large amounts of seeds: for example, it would take over 200 apple seeds to become poisoned. You can find more information on the amygdalin content of these types of fruit in a study by the University of Leeds.

We usually don’t eat the large pits of cherries, nectarines or plums anyway. But even here you would have to eat several of them at once – and grind them first because you would simply excrete them without chewing.

Grape seeds – rich in antioxidants

Many customers prefer seedless grapes. The kernels of all things contain valuable nutrients.

From a health point of view, the flavonoids contained are particularly interesting. These are among the secondary plant substances and have an antioxidant effect in the body: They protect our cells by binding free radicals, can reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.

Many scientific studies deal with the medical potential of grape seed extract, such as a Turkish study from 2018. Of course, the ingredients in the bare seeds are much less concentrated than in the extract. Nevertheless, it is worth not throwing away the grape seeds, but to chew them up and eat them.

Eat apple seeds – not poisonous, but healthy

As mentioned, apple seeds contain a certain amount of amygdalin. But you don’t have to worry about prussic acid poisoning.

You can confidently eat the entire core, which also contains valuable nutrients. The kernels contain additional fiber and some phytochemicals.

By the way: As with most kernels, apple seeds are simply excreted if you swallow them whole. If you want to benefit from the nutrients, you have to chew the seeds thoroughly.

Pears: eat the cores too

The situation with pears is very similar to that of apples: There is also a small amount of amygdalin in the seeds, but you don’t need to worry about that.

Instead, you can easily eat the already small seeds. There are also antioxidants in the form of secondary plant substances.

Watermelon: eat the seeds

Watermelon seeds are rich in magnesium, iron, folic acid and unsaturated fatty acids. They also contain vitamin A, vitamin C and proteins. Therefore, these seeds are too good to throw away.

You can simply eat the watermelon seeds raw. It is important here again that you chew them up properly. This is the only way your body can access the valuable ingredients. In addition, unchewed watermelon seeds are said to be difficult to digest.

Alternatively, you can also prepare a delicious snack from the kernels by first drying them and then roasting them in a pan or in the oven with a little oil and salt – not only a delicious snack for in between, but also as an ingredient for soups or baked goods use.

Citrus seeds are edible

Whether lemon, orange or grapefruit: You can also eat the seeds of citrus fruits. They also contain secondary plant substances and fiber.

Lemon seeds are said to contain traces of salicylic acid. This is the main active ingredient in aspirin. It is doubtful to what extent you can benefit from the pain-relieving effect of a few lemon seeds.

Eat the avocado stone or not?

Avocados are hyped as a superfood. The creamy fruit contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The core, on the other hand, usually ends up in the garbage or on the compost. That’s doubly a pity: On the one hand, it also contains plenty of nutrients from which we can benefit in terms of health. On the other hand, avocados have such a bad ecological balance due to transport routes, cultivation conditions and water requirements that we should at least use the whole fruit.

While some praise the stone as a miracle cure because of the healthy nutrients, there are also dissenting voices: Because the avocado stone also contains the bitter substance persine, which can be deadly in larger quantities. Again, the dose makes the poison: eating an entire avocado seed at once would not be a good idea. A small piece could in turn have positive effects, such as preventing cardiovascular diseases or stimulating the metabolism.

The best way to eat the kernel is to grate it finely with a kitchen grater and mix the pieces into your muesli, salad or smoothie. You can also use them to make tea.

Eat papaya seeds – against parasites in the intestine

The papaya is another tropical fruit that, at best, can be imported from southern Europe. The many black seeds in the middle of the fruit are usually thrown away in this country. In tropical countries, on the other hand, it is common to eat them to prevent or fight parasites in the intestine.

This effect is due to the enzyme papain, of which the seeds contain plenty. This specifically attacks parasite eggs by converting their proteins. This was scientifically proven in a pilot study.

In addition, papaya seeds are particularly rich in antioxidants, which – as already mentioned – are beneficial to our health in many ways.

In terms of taste, the seeds are more reminiscent of black pepper than of a sweet fruit with their sharpness. It may take a little getting used to at first, but in combination with the pulp they produce an interesting taste. But take it slow and don’t eat all the seeds at once – that could overwhelm your taste buds and your digestion. A few seeds will do for starters.

You can also dry and grind the seeds and use them as a pepper substitute.

Some also swear by swallowing the papaya seeds whole. Due to the fiber layer that encases the slippery kernels, they should slide through the intestines and clean them like swollen psyllium husks. However, there are no studies on this so far.

Since papaya has traveled such a long distance, the general rule is: Eat it seldom, and then eat it organically.

Eat the seeds too: Everyone does it with these fruits and vegetables

There are numerous types of fruit whose seeds we all eat – simply because they are so small that they can hardly be sorted out. These include, among other things:
Berries, for example raspberries, blueberries, strawberries
figs
kiwis
The same applies to some types of vegetables, such as:
cucumbers
eggplants
tomatoes
zucchini
But it is also perfectly normal and healthy to eat the kernels of nuts and so-called stone fruits. Because here the core is what we understand and consume as a nut:
hazelnut
walnut
macadamia nut
chestnuts
Hemp seed (also called hemp nut)
almonds
brazil nut
pecan
pistachios
cashew nuts
Passion fruit and pomegranates are another special case: the edible part consists almost exclusively of seeds. Only the shell is not edible here.

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Use of Leftovers: What Many People Throw in The Garbage Can Be Eaten

Pumpkin seeds, carrot peels or radish greens do not normally end up on our plates, but in the bin. But does it have to be? We show creative ways to use leftover food.

We are all to blame for food waste: the producer throws away what is not nice enough, middlemen and supermarkets sort it out again and last but not least, each of us consumers throws away what is “no longer good” – or what we consider unusable keep.

Changing the way producers and retailers treat food is not easy. Some countries – for example the Czech Republic and France – are trying to ban supermarkets from throwing away edible food by law. But for us consumers, there are many ways to be more conscious about food and ensure that we throw less food away.

In addition to dealing with the best-before date in a relaxed manner and storing it correctly, the following question in particular helps to reduce waste at home: does it really have to go or can I still use it somehow?

We throw a lot of things in the trash because we don’t even know that they could be edible and even tasty: radish greens, potato peelings, melon seeds or cauliflower stalks – many leftovers from healthy cooking can still be used creatively. Here are some ideas for using up leftovers.

Use leftover vegetables as broth or soup

You can make tasty vegetable broth yourself from leftovers from slicing vegetables: For example, from carrot, cucumber, asparagus and even onion skins, the outer leaves of cabbage and leeks, cauliflower leaves and stalks, broccoli stalks, herb stalks or the trimmed ends of celery and zucchini.

Simply simmer leftover vegetables in hot water with a few herbs, some pepper and salt for about an hour, then pour the cooking water through a very fine sieve or clean kitchen towel – done. Filled directly into clean screw-top jars and stored in the dark, the broth will keep for a few weeks.

To use leftover vegetables, you can also cook simple soups – for example, from cauliflower leaves and cauliflower stalks or stalks of broccoli. Asparagus shells also make a very tasty cream of asparagus soup.

Vegetable leftovers in the smoothie

You can easily process leftover vegetables that can be eaten raw into healthy and delicious (green) smoothies: Simply put them in the blender, add some water and, depending on your taste, puree with fruit, herbs, spices or ginger.

For example, the leaves of radishes, carrots, kohlrabi, beetroot or radishes, wilted lettuce leaves and herbs (stalks), cucumber peels, etc. are suitable for this. It is also possible to use fruit that is no longer quite fresh: bananas that have turned brown or slightly wrinkled apples. Smoothies make a small snack rich in vitamins – and if you make them yourself from leftovers, they are usually healthier and significantly cheaper than smoothies bought in (usually deposit-free) glass bottles.

Use of leftovers: chips from vegetable peelings

The cleaned skins of organic(!) potatoes can easily be fried, pan-fried or roasted in the oven. With a little salt and spices, you get delicious chips to nibble on. Attention: In order to avoid the dangerous solanine you should only use fresh potatoes and make sure that there are neither germs nor green spots on the skin!

You can also easily make vegetable chips from the skins of sweet potatoes, beetroot, parsnips and radishes as well as from savoy cabbage and kale leaves. To be sure that the peels are pesticide-free, it is best to only use organic vegetables

Broccoli and cauliflower stalk puree

Vegetable leftovers such as the stalk of cauliflower, broccoli or cabbage (and the leaves of cauliflower as well) can be easily made into a puree: cook until soft, puree, season, done. Can also be combined very well with potatoes.

Pesto made from radish greens, carrot greens, radish leaves, kohlrabi leaves

The leaves of radishes, radishes, kohlrabi and carrots do not have to be thrown away – they are safe to eat and very tasty. These leftovers can be used in soups, as leafy greens, as a filling for ravioli or lasagne and even as pesto.

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Don’t Throw It Away: This is How You Can Use the Rind of the Watermelon

In summer, watermelons are a refreshing dessert. You don’t have to throw away the shell, you can use it. We’ll show you what else you can use watermelon peel for.

Of course, many people think of the fruity-sweet and refreshing watermelon flesh first when they think of watermelons. In fact, all parts of the watermelon are edible, including the seeds and the skin. There are many easy ways you can use watermelon rind in delicious recipes. We introduce them to you below.

Use watermelon peel quickly

Do you have some leftover peel and you are cooking anyway? Then try one of these ideas:

1. Grated watermelon peel

The simplest method: grate the zest and mix into salads. For example, you can spice up a coleslaw with watermelon peel or add it to a cucumber and dill salad. Or you mix the finely grated zest with cold soups.

Tip: Roasted watermelon seeds are a good topping for soups and salads.

2. Smoothie with watermelon peel

The next time you make a watermelon smoothie (or any other fruity blended drink), just throw the watermelon rind into the blender. So you don’t have to throw away the leftovers, but give the smoothie additional fiber.

Tip: How about a breakfast smoothie bowl or summer smoothies with regional ingredients? Both recipes are good for using watermelon peel in an uncomplicated way.

Recipe for pickled watermelon rind

The watermelon peel is also welcome to take the leading role in some recipes. In other countries this is nothing unusual. For example, in the United States, pickled or candied watermelon peels are common. For example, you can pickle the peel of the watermelon in a sweet and sour way.

For about two to three glasses, each with 400 milliliters of pickled watermelon peel, you need the following ingredients:

1 large watermelon
3 tbsp salt
1 organic lemon or 1 organic lime
1/2 l balsamic vinegar
750g brown sugar
1-2 cm fresh ginger
2-3 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves
8 allspice corns
Now follow these steps:

Eighth the watermelon. Remove the red pulp. There should now be about an inch of peel left.
Remove the dark green, bitter outer skin with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
Cut the peel into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the zest with the salt and the juice of half a lemon and leave to stand under a kitchen towel overnight.
After the brewing time, wash the bowl off briefly.
Put the bowl in a saucepan. Fill it with water until the bowl is just covered.
Bring everything to the boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Strain the peel and catch the water.
Finely slice the ginger and the other half of the lemon. Coarsely grind the cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
Mix a quarter of the cooking liquid with the balsamic vinegar and sugar, add the spices and bring to the boil.
Add the melon cubes and let the brew simmer over low heat for about 50 minutes. The skins should now be translucent.
Pour the hot mixture into sterilized jars and seal immediately. Let them rest for at least two to three weeks. Serve the pickled watermelon peels as a sweet and sour side dish, for example.

Watermelon rind jam recipe

You can also use the watermelon peel to make jam.

For about six to seven jam jars with a capacity of 250 milliliters you need the following ingredients:

1 kg watermelon peel
2.5 liters of water
200 ml apple cider vinegar
1 lemon
1 kg preserving sugar
1 packet of vanilla sugar
How to make jam from watermelon rind:

Eighth the watermelon. Remove the red pulp. There should now be about an inch of peel left.
Remove the dark green, bitter outer skin with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
Cut the peel into bite-sized pieces.
Add two liters of water and 200 milliliters of apple cider vinegar and let everything boil for two hours over medium heat.
After cooking, drain the shells and rinse them in cold water.
Put the peels back in the saucepan, add half a liter of water, the juice of the lemon, a kilo of preserving sugar and a sachet of vanilla sugar. Cook everything until the mass has thickened. You can now puree them completely or partially.
Pour the hot jam into jars. Close the jam jars and turn them upside down for five minutes. Wrap the jars in a kitchen towel and let them sit for half a day.

2 good reasons to use watermelon peel

1. Watermelon rind contains many nutrients

There are many valuable ingredients in the watermelon peel: it contains a lot of fiber that quickly fills you up. It also contains amino acids, which support the body in muscle building, among other things, as well as lots of vitamin A.

There is still a white layer between the green outer skin and the red flesh of the fruit, which is considered to be one of the best sources of the amino acid citrulline. The body converts citrulline into the amino acid arginine, which is said to dilate blood vessels and thereby improve blood flow.

According to US researchers, arginine can increase male potency. Whether you can produce this effect by eating watermelon, however, is considered controversial. According to critics, the concentration of amino acids is too low.

2. Watermelon rind is not food waste

Food waste is a big problem of our time. According to the consumer center, 12 million tons of food end up in the garbage every year in Germany alone. Much of what we throw in the bin is actually still edible.

If we waste food, this also has disadvantages for the environment: Because to produce food you need energy, water and other raw materials. If we consume too much of it, our ecological footprint increases – we use up the resources that should be available to future generations.

The climate is also negatively influenced by food waste. For example, according to the consumer association, the annual food waste in the EU causes the same amount of CO2 as the entire Netherlands.

34 percent of the food waste in households consists of fruit and vegetables. If you start recycling peels and other “waste” items, you too can eliminate waste and reduce litter.

Buy organic watermelons

If you want to use the peel, you should make sure that the melon comes from controlled organic cultivation. Conventional watermelons are usually sprayed with pesticides. In China, for example, forchlorfenuron is used as a growth regulator. (More information: Watermelon: The summer fruit really is that healthy)

Pesticides not only harm pests but also other animals and insects – in this respect they threaten biodiversity. In addition, many of the agents are suspected of being harmful to health – glyphosate is just one of many examples. Even after washing, there could still be residues of pesticides on the bowl. Organic watermelons, on the other hand, are not treated with chemical pesticides.

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Don’t Throw Away Orange Peels: This is How You Can Reuse Them

Oranges smell wonderful and taste delicious. But the orange peels are too good to be thrown away. We’ll tell you how to continue using them.

Oranges are one of the most popular types of fruit, and not just in the cold season when you’re sitting comfortably indoors. No wonder, because they are delicious and contain a lot of vitamin C. But very few people think about the ecological balance of the delicious citrus fruit. For their production alone, 560 liters of water are used per kilogram of oranges in Mediterranean regions. If the citrus fruits come from further away, it is often even more liters. The oranges that you can buy from us mostly come from Spain or Italy. A lot of CO2 is emitted on the long transport routes.

Therefore, you should pay attention to the following when buying:

Only buy organic oranges and make sure they are grown fairly. Many pickers in conventional farms are only paid a pittance.
Pay attention to the country of origin. Opt for fruits that have been grown in Europe rather than those from South America.
Although oranges can be bought all year round, their main season is from November to March, as they are harvested in autumn. So it is better to buy oranges in these months than in summer.
Keep the oranges in a cool, ventilated place and consume them within a few days. Otherwise they can easily spoil.
Since the ecological balance of oranges is rather poor, you should use the citrus fruit completely – including its peel.

Basically, you can use the bowl in different forms:

Fresh: Use the zest immediately after peeling the orange
dried: Place the orange peels on the heater or let them dry at room temperature on a kitchen towel for several days. Once the peels are dry, you can store them for a long time.
If you want to use the orange peel in the kitchen, you should definitely buy unsprayed organic fruit.
By the way: You can also use all of these tips on tangerine peels.

You can find out how you can use orange peel in the following sections.

This is how you continue to use orange peels in the household

Remove limescale: You can use fresh, undried orange peels to combat limescale stains in the bathroom or kitchen, as the peels contain citric acid. You can rub off affected fittings with the inside of fresh orange peel, which will make them look almost like new again.
Neutralize odors: You can use fresh orange peel to remove odors, for example if plastic bowls or lunch boxes smell unpleasant. Rub them with the peels and then wash them out thoroughly.
Against stench in the oven: Orange peels even help against stench in the oven: simply heat them briefly in the oven. Thanks to the essential oils it contains, the bad smell will soon be a thing of the past.
Orange peel instead of fabric softener: You can also use untreated orange peel as an alternative to fabric softener. Simply put the shells in a cotton bag and put them in the wash. They help soften the water. In addition, everything smells wonderfully of oranges afterwards.
Orange peels instead of rinse aid: The same works as a rinse aid substitute for the dishwasher: simply put the fresh orange peels in the cutlery tray.
Orange peels against moths: Dried orange peels help against moths. Just put or hang a few in your closet.
Homemade all-purpose cleaner: You can easily make your own all-purpose cleaner from fresh orange peel and vinegar.

Orange peel: A versatile ingredient in body care

Help with blemishes: With the essential oils from orange peel you can fight age spots and pimples. Rub the white inside of a fresh orange peel over the affected area. If you repeat this a few times, the affected skin should recover.
Bad breath remedies: Chewing on untreated orange peel can help against bad breath. However, you should not do this too often, as the acid it contains can damage your tooth enamel. You should then give yourself some time before brushing your teeth the next time.
Shiny hair: You can also make hair conditioner from orange peels. Put the orange peels in a bowl and cover them with apple cider vinegar. Let the whole thing steep for about two days. Then pour off the orange peel and fill up the vinegar solution with water. It should be about three times as much water as apple cider vinegar. After washing your hair, pour the conditioner over your head without rinsing it out afterwards. The acidic rinse removes residue from your hair and gives it new shine.

Orange peels bring delicious flavors to the kitchen

Orange tea: You can quickly and easily make your own tea from orange peel. To do this, pour hot water on them when they are fresh or dry. The tea should steep for about ten minutes. The peel of an orange is enough for a pot of tea.
Citrus aroma for baking: With dried lemon, tangerine or orange peel you can give your home-baked pastries a fruity note. Plane off part of the peel and let it dry well. After that, you can store the pieces in a jar. Make sure the can is dry and airtight.
Vitamin C powder: Using a blender or food processor, crush dried tangerine or orange peel until pulverized. You can sprinkle the vitamin C powder obtained in this way over your muesli or eat a spoonful every now and then to strengthen your immune system.

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Food

Avocado Brown Inside? Why You Shouldn’t Throw Them Away

If an avocado is brown on the inside, you don’t necessarily have to throw it away. In many cases, the delicious fruit is still edible. In this tip, we explain how to distinguish ripe avocados from spoiled ones.

Avocados are delicious, are rightly considered a healthy superfood and are becoming increasingly popular. However, the tropical fruits have a catch in addition to their bad ecological balance: It is not exactly easy to distinguish ripe or spoiled avocados from the outside – the surprise often only comes after cutting open. If you then find that the avocado is brown on the inside, you don’t have to throw it away right away. We explain how you can recognize a good avocado.

Avocado brown inside – still edible or spoiled?

There are two reasons why avocados turn brown on the inside:

If you cut open an avocado and don’t use it right away, the flesh will turn brown over time. This is due to oxidation, which also causes the brown coloring of sliced ​​apples. As a result, the avocado no longer looks as appetizing, but it is still edible. It is better to cut open avocados just before eating them. Alternatively, you can brush the cut surface with a little lemon juice to slow down the browning.
However, if the avocado is already brown on the inside when you cut it, it may no longer be edible. Below you will find out what you should pay attention to in this case.
If the avocado is brown on the inside, you should rely primarily on your senses and feelings. The following indicators will help you distinguish a ripe from a spoiled avocado:

If there is only a brown spot under the avocado skin, it is most likely a bruise. In this case, you can cut away the spot and still use the remaining fruit.
If the avocado only has one or two small brown spots inside, it’s still edible in many cases. Simply cut away the spots and use the remaining pulp.
However, if the flesh is streaked with brown spots or brown in several large areas, the avocado is no longer edible. In this case, you should discard the fruit.
The same applies if the fruit is very fibrous and has thin threads. Then the avocado is also no longer edible.
If you then have an unpleasant smell or taste or even moldy spots, you should definitely not eat the avocado anymore.
Caution: If the avocado has visible mold anywhere, you should definitely not eat it. It is then not enough to just cut away the moldy area, since the mycelium of the mold could have spread invisibly throughout the fruit.

Recognizing ripe avocados: you should pay attention to this

If you observe the following points, you can tell a spoiled avocado from a ripe one before you buy it and thus avoid food waste:

With the pressure test, you can see the degree of ripeness of an avocado from the outside: press lightly on the skin with the palm of your hand – an unripe avocado is hard, while a ripe avocado gives slightly. On the other hand, if it feels mushy or seems to have collapsed under the skin, the avocado is probably already bad. Attention: Don’t just do the pressure test with one finger but with the palm of your hand, otherwise the avocado will easily bruise.
Pay attention to the base of the stem: If the avocado is already brown here, it is probably already brown on the inside and no longer good. A better sign is if the avocado is still fresh and green at this point.
The color of the skin can also indicate a spoiled avocado: In the case of the most common type of avocado, ‘Hass’, it should be dark green or brown. If the skin is already black, the avocado is probably no longer good – especially if it feels a bit spongy. Other avocado varieties, such as the ‘Fuerte’, keep their green color even when they are already ripe.
Mold is always a clear indicator of a spoiled avocado. Even if the avocado only has a moldy spot on the outside, you shouldn’t buy it anymore.

Use unripe and overripe avocados

A sliced ​​avocado should be light green to yellowish on the inside and pleasantly soft (see picture above). If the flesh is still hard, the avocado is not yet ripe and has not yet developed its delicious aroma:

Unripe avocados ripen within a few days at room temperature. This is even faster if you store the avocado near apples.
If you have already cut open the avocado and only then discovered the hard flesh, you can still let it ripen a bit. So that it doesn’t turn brown inside, you should brush the cut surface with a little lemon juice or olive oil, put the stone back in the middle and close the two avocado halves together again. So you can easily let the avocado sit for another day and ripen.
If an avocado is already very ripe and soft, you can no longer cut it into pieces and use it in a salad. Nevertheless, you can still conjure up delicious dishes from overripe but edible avocados:

Especially for homemade guacamole, avocados should be really ripe and soft anyway, as the flesh is crushed anyway. Our recipe shows you how to make the delicious dip yourself.
You can also use overripe avocados for other sauces, dressings and dips. Depending on the recipe, you can simply puree them with the other ingredients.
You can also use ripe avocados in smoothies. It is particularly tasty, for example, if you puree an avocado with two bananas, a heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder and, if necessary, some sweetener.

Buying avocados sustainably – buying tips

Avocados are rightly considered a healthy superfood: The tropical fruits are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and have a high content of B vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin E. They also provide several essential amino acids and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.

However, the avocado is not so brilliant in terms of its ecological balance: Most of the fruits come from Central and South America and have therefore been transported long distances in refrigerated containers. In addition, avocado trees need a lot of water: an estimated 1,000 liters of water are needed for one kilo of avocado – and the growing areas are usually already dry.

Organically farmed avocados have a better life cycle assessment than those from conventional farming that uses mineral fertilizers. In some supermarkets and health food stores you can also buy avocados from Spain, Portugal or Israel. This means that the delicious fruits have a significantly shorter transport route behind them.

Nevertheless: Even organic avocados from Spain have an immense ecological footprint and should therefore only be bought and used seldom. Instead of guacamole, you can also make pesto yourself from local ingredients, for example.

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Don’t Throw Away the Cucumber Peel: You Can Still Do That with It

If you peel cucumbers before eating, don’t throw away the cucumber peel. We introduce you to a delicious drink with cucumber peel and other uses.

It’s not strictly necessary that you peel cucumbers, especially if you’re using organic cucumbers. If you still prefer peeled cucumbers, you can use the peel separately. After all, the cucumber peel contains a particularly large number of vitamins, as well as dietary fibers that can support your digestion. So it would be a shame if you just threw away the cucumber peel.

We will show you how you can reuse the cucumber peel. It is important that you use the peel of organic cucumbers. Because according to organic guidelines, chemical-synthetic pesticides that can occur as residues in conventional cucumbers are prohibited. Also wash the cucumbers carefully.

You can make a refreshing drink from cucumber peels

You can easily prepare a refreshing drink from cucumber peel, mint and lemon. This leaves lemon zest. But don’t worry, you can also use the peel of the lemons.

Ingredients:

1 organic cucumber (peel)

4 sprigs of mint lemon
400 ml water ice cubes

Directions:

Cut the cucumber peel into rough pieces.
Wash the mint and lemon.
Halve the lemon and squeeze out the juice.
Place the cucumber peel, mint, and lemon juice in a blender, puree, and divide into two glasses.
Fill the glasses with water and add ice cubes if you like.

More ideas with cucumber peel

Instead of throwing away the cucumber peel, you can use it in other recipes.

  • You can cut the cucumber skin into pieces and add it to a salad.
  • You can give a herb quark more freshness with some finely chopped cucumber peel.
  • You can also prepare a smoothie with cucumber peel and other vegetables or fruit. Then less water may be needed because the cucumber skin contains a lot of moisture. For example, you can also use other leftover vegetables in a smoothie. For example, try it with a few radish leaves or the core of a salad or broccoli.
  • Mix (vegan) cream cheese with finely chopped cucumber peel and some salt and pepper. This makes a delicious spread.

If you don’t want to eat the cucumber peel, you can use it very well as a refreshment and relaxation for tired eyes. Simply place pieces of bowl under your eyes or on your closed lids and relax for ten minutes.

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