Pineapple makes an all-natural cleaning agent, easy to make at home

All of Taiwan is in pineapple fever, after China announced a ban on import of Taiwan''s golden fruit. Chefs up and down the country are finding creative ways to use the sweet and sour Taiwanese specialty in new and improved recipes. But that''s not all it''s good for. We spoke to a chemistry teacher who has an unusual use for the sweet treat: a cleaning agent you can make yourself at home. You can even use it to wash your dishes.

From zesty mango and pineapple tea…

To beef noodle soup sweetened by the spiky fruit, China''s ban on Taiwan-grown pineapple sparked off a national fervor. But did you know that even the spiky skin and the leaves can be used - as a natural cleaning agent?

Here''s the recipe: Shave off the skin and chop up 300 grams. Then mix with 100 grams of brown sugar and a liter of water - that''s a ratio of 3:1:10. Mix the sugar and water, then add the pineapple. Then screw the lid on tight and date the container and you''re done. Leave it in a cool place for three months and you come out with a pineapple enzyme cleaner - all natural, no toxic stuff.

Chang Pi-pai
Chemistry teacher
What matters is the pineapple''s enzymes and its digestive properties. So when we''re stewing pork chops, and it won''t break down easily, we add in pineapple, and the enzymes and the pH of it help to break down the food. The main thing actually is the acidity of the pineapple. It causes mild corrosion and disintegration of the ingredients, which can speed up the removal of dirt.

Let''s give it a test. Using the cleaner on these dishes, even stubborn pork fat comes straight off in no time. We also tried it on a table - kitchen grease is no problem. The only thing to remember is you have to regularly open the container to let out gases.

Chang Pi-pai
Chemistry teacher
When the lid is shut tight, you need to open it up once every two or three days, to let out the gases. Otherwise it will probably get too pressurized and it could crack the container, or something bad could occur.

Your mixture is good if it comes out this brownish color. It''s normal to have bits floating at the top. So next time you run out of cleaning agent, why not think of Taiwan''s pineapples.

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