Have you ever opened a pint of fresh strawberries only to realize that they’re starting to spoil? For important advice on how to store strawberries, continue reading!
You need to wash strawberries only when you’re ready to eat them, keep them as whole berries, line a plastic or glass container with paper towels, and place the strawberries in a single layer inside the container…
Read on for more detailed information.
How to Store Fresh Strawberries?
You must put your strawberries in the refrigerator if you want to increase their shelf life. Following these instructions, you can store them in an airtight container in a single layer for the best results.
Wash Strawberries Only When You’re Ready to Eat Them
Washing strawberries immediately exposes them to moisture, and moisture on fresh berries makes them moldy. Strawberries should not be washed before storing them and should only be washed before consumption.
Keep Them as Whole Berries
Compared to cut-up strawberry pieces, whole strawberries will hold up better to deterioration. Keep the entire basket in the same condition that you found it at the market or grocery store, including the green-leaf tops.
Line a Plastic Or Glass Container With Paper Towels
By absorbing moisture, these paper towels will prevent mold growth on your berries.
Place the Strawberries in a Single Layer Inside the Container
It is simpler if you can fit all of your strawberries into a single container. If you need multiple containers to preserve that single layer, don’t hesitate to use more than one. Of course, strawberries can be stacked on top of one another (just as they would be in their original container), but doing so allows mold to quickly spread from berry to berry. To reduce moisture and contact between layers, think about layering a paper towel.
Tightly Seal the Container and Place It in the Refrigerator
Strawberries should keep for at least seven days in the refrigerator if they are dry and airtight. However, you should consume them earlier to enjoy their freshest flavor.
Can You Freeze Strawberries?
Strawberries can absolutely be frozen. Moreover, unlike some other foods, strawberries can be frozen in almost any shape, including whole, in halves, slices, or even crushed.
To freeze pre-cut strawberries, which is ideal if you’re using them in anything from a delicious dessert to a healthy smoothie, place the berries cut-side down on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. After the strawberries have been frozen for a few hours, put them in an airtight container and return the freezer to the freezer. When using this method, frozen strawberries should stay fresh for about 10 to 12 months.
Simply transfer frozen strawberries to the refrigerator and leave them there for at least six hours to begin the thawing process. Strawberries can also be defrosted by putting them in a bowl inside a larger bowl that is filled with cold water, or by running them under cold water for at least 30 minutes. This process takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Read about How to Store Potatoes?
Things to Remember When Storing Strawberries
No matter which storage method you decide to try, there are a few rules about storing fresh strawberries to know. All of these recommendations will keep your berries looking fresher and tasting better for a longer period of time.
Sort the Berries
Just as one bad apple can spoil the bunch, one moldy or deteriorating strawberry will cause the rest of the berries to spoil faster, too. Before purchasing strawberry boxes from the store, thoroughly inspect them. Sort your strawberries once you get them home and throw away any that have mold or appear to be mushy.
Leave the Stem and Leaves On
Hulling the strawberries, or even just tearing off the leaves and stems, exposes the flesh of the fruit to air and bacteria, which will cause them to rot quickly. Till you’re ready to use them, it’s best to keep strawberries whole, with leaves and stems still attached.
Wait to Wash Them
Berry washing is a good idea, but do not do it until you are about to use the berries. Strawberries quickly absorb water, and as soon as the surfaces are saturated, they mush up or start to grow mold.
You should use the whole berries after washing them for some recipes, such as those that call for chocolate-covered strawberries. For these occasions, quickly rinse the berries in cold water, and handle them delicately. Then, spread them out on a tray covered with a fresh dish towel to air dry. Turn them occasionally, so they can dry on all sides and around the leaves. Once they’re completely dry to the touch, use them right away.
Store in the Refrigerator
Unless you’re planning to eat or use your fresh strawberries within a day of bringing them home, the refrigerator is the best place to store them. (Additionally, it’s up to you which approach you use!) You’ll have your berries for a longer period of time thanks to the cold temperature which slows down the rotting process.
FAQs
How Do Strawberries Stay Fresh Longer?
Rinse with vinegar solution: Soak strawberries in a vinegar solution (one-part white vinegar and three parts water) for a few minutes. After draining, drying, and setting them in a glass container with fresh paper towels, proceed. Store in the refrigerator with the lid on loosely.
Should Strawberries Be Stored in An Airtight Container?
Strawberries store well in colanders because they have open airflow. Unlike whole berries, once strawberries have been cut or hulled, they should be stored in an airtight container to protect the exposed flesh from mold and bacterial development, significantly reducing shelf life.
How Do You Keep Strawberries Fresh for 2 Weeks?
Just keep it in an airtight jar in your fridge. “Strawberries, for example, keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator if you store them in a glass jar.” In the zero-waste community, this method of food storage is actually quite common.
Why Do Berries Go Bad So Fast?
It comes down to moisture… and mold. Berries easily absorb excess moisture from their surroundings because they are frequently quite porous, water-rich, and have delicate skin. They also pretty much all carry mold spores, which grow rapidly when moisture is plentiful.
Summary: How to Store Strawberries?
The biggest enemy of strawberries when it came to storage seemed to be moisture. You want to make sure your berries are completely dry before stashing them in the fridge, so I suggest holding off on washing them until you’re ready to eat them or thoroughly drying them in a salad spinner. If you don’t have much time, storing the strawberries in their original container and throwing away any that are about to spoil is a great option. However, if you do, soaking the strawberries in a vinegar-water solution and drying them afterward is a great way to extend their shelf life.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best furniture information. Thank you for reading.
