The Real Reason You Shouldn’t Sample Berries Before Buying Them

Summer is officially here, and with it comes one of the best warm-weather highlights: berry season. And if you’re anything like us, you’re enjoying this time to the fullest and adding peak-season berries whenever and wherever you can—salads, desserts, breakfasts, savory dishesyou name it.

You’ve likely also been tempted to reach out for a ripe berry and sample it at the grocery store or farmers market. But is that considered unsafe or impolite? Read on for the basics of berry sampling etiquette.

When It’s Not Okay To Sample

Whether it’s a supermarket clamshell or a farmers market bucket, picking a berry straight from the merchandise without asking isn’t the most polite sampling method. How would you feel if somebody stole something from you or didn’t compensate you for your work?

Another thing to consider is how dirty those berries might be. Unless it’s explicitly stated otherwise on the label or organic produce, those berries have been exposed to harmful elements like pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. And if those berries aren’t local, they’ve probably picked up a few things on their trip across state lines, the country, or even to a different hemisphere.

Strawberries, cherries, blackberries, and blueberries all made the Environmental Working Group’s “dirty dozen” list this year, and berries tend to be repeat offenders. And if that still doesn’t deter you, certain berries are also known to harbor tiny bugs.

Unless you know exactly where those berries came from or that they’ve been properly cleaned, wait until you’re home (and they’re washed) to taste them.

When It’s Okay To Sample

If someone is giving out samples—say, a vendor at a farmers market, or a designated sample station at the grocery store—you’re in the clear. It’s not rude to sample an item, but you’ll probably get some strange looks if you use sampling as an invitation to eat several dollars’ worth of product.

If you truly want to sample a farmers market berry for your fresh Summer perfectjust ask—farmers and independent vendors are typically eager about offering potential customers samples. Market vendors usually have a small amount of water on hand to wash off any lingering herbicides, so just voice any concerns you may have.