Eating a sweet and juicy strawberry is something that many people cherish. But one of the things that strawberry lovers worry about is keeping berries fresh. There are many old wives' tales in circulation and many ideas that people learned from their mothers, grandmothers or cable cooking shows. If you want to keep your strawberries fresh for days or even months, here are several options you could try.
Instructions
1. Buy strawberries locally. It is best to buy strawberries from a farmer's market when in season. Locally grown fruit is usually fresher than fruit that comes from another state or country.
2. Pick only ripe strawberries. The fresher the fruit you buy, the longer it will last. Choose strawberries that are firm, plump and have a rich, even color and strong fragrance. Look for strawberries with bright green caps and stems that are still attached. Make certain that the strawberries have no bruises and are not damaged. If buying a container of strawberries from a store look for a dry container with no stains. Do not buy these stained or wet containers. This could indicate squished or too soft strawberries.
3. Check the strawberries for mold. When you return home check each berried for mold. Throw away any moldy strawberries. If they are left with the other strawberries, the mold will spread to all the good berries as well. Also discard any soft, mushy strawberries.
4. Do not wash the strawberries. Strawberries absorb water easily. Washing the strawberries makes them water logged, which in turn makes them soggy and soft. If there is too much water, the berries lose their sweetness and flavor. Only wash strawberries when you are ready to eat them or use them for a recipe.
5. Do not remove the caps. The caps of the strawberries keep water or moisture from entering the strawberries. The caps also help to maintain the unique texture of the berries.
6. Store strawberries in glass jars or air-tight containers. Once way to store strawberries for a few days is to place them in a sealable glass jar or in plastic food containers. Also put a paper towel in the jar or container. The paper towel absorbs any moisture. Place container in refrigerator or other cool place.
7. Place strawberries in a colander. Place a paper towel on the bottom a colander and then place the strawberries on top, then place another paper towel over the strawberries. The idea is that the colander allows cold air to circulate around the strawberries.
8. Place strawberries in a cooking pan. Place a damp paper towel on the bottom of a cooking pan, put the strawberries in the pan, cover with another damp paper towel and refrigerate. A cookie sheet can also be used this way.
9. Place strawberries in a plastic zip-top bag, then put them in the crisper of the refrigerator.
10. Store strawberries in the freezer. If you buy a lot of fresh strawberries and want to store them for months, the only thing to do is to put them in the freezer. A plastic bag is usually best for long-term storage. Place the strawberries in layers separated with paper towels.
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