The One Thing You Should Do With a Can Before You Open It

I use canned goods all the time, from chickpeas and beans that go into salads to tomatoes for pasta sauce, vegetables for stir-fries, and the occasional can of Spam for fried rice or musubi. But no matter what's inside, there's one thing I always do before opening a can: Rinse it.

Why You Should Rinse Cans Before Opening Them

I started this habit because my parents always had me clean the tops of canned beverages before drinking from them. As a kid, I thought it was just one of those silly rules adults made us follow. Now that I'm older, I completely understand why.

Cans may not always look dirty when I pull them out from the pantry, but they go through quite a journey before making their way into my kitchen. They've spent time in warehouses, on delivery trucks, on grocery store shelves, and inside reusable grocery bags that I don't wash as often as I should , where they collect dust, dirt, and other grime along the way.

So whether it has a pull tab or requires a can opener, I always clean it first. The top of a can will inevitably come into contact with my hands and transfer germs that make their way to high-touch surfaces like counters and cabinet handles. And if I'm opening it and pouring the contents directly into a bowl, pot, or pan, anything sitting on the lid can potentially come along for the ride.

Rinsing the can removes any dirt and dust that may have accumulated on the surface. It's especially useful to do so before using a can opener, since the blade and the tin's rim can transfer whatever is on the outside closer to the opening (Don't forget to wash your can opener , too!).

There's no need to scrub your cans or reach for soap. A quick rinse under running water is enough to remove surface debris. I usually do it as I'm gathering my ingredients, so it doesn't add any meaningful time to cooking. Beans, tomatoes, corn, tuna, soup—it takes just a few seconds regardless of what's for dinner.

I used to think my parents were being overly cautious when they made us clean our soda cans before drinking them. Now, every time I rinse the top of a can—whether it's a cold seltzer to sip on as I'm cooking or coconut milk to make my favorite one-bowl dessert —I realize they were onto something. Some childhood rules stick with you for a reason, and this is one I'll gladly keep and pass on.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes