Strawberries are a delicious fruit that many of us enjoy in the summer months, but it’s also a fruit that spoils quickly – but one food expert has a simple hack to keep them fresh for longer
Navigating the fruit aisle for a decent punnet of strawberries can be a challenge, with many succumbing to bruises and damage before even reaching the checkout. It’s a real letdown when those vibrant, ripe berries you’ve picked out turn to mush too soon after you get them home.
Yet, with the right storage technique in the fridge, your strawberries could remain fresh for an extended period. Cookbook author and budget-friendly foodie Amy Cross from The Cross Legacy has revealed a nifty trick to keep your strawberries in peak condition. The secret? A humble glass jar that prevents mould by creating a barrier against air and moisture.
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To start, rinse the strawberries in a large bowl under running water to remove any residual dirt, as bacteria lingering on the surface can hasten spoilage.
Next, mix 60ml of white vinegar with two litres of water in a separate bowl, immerse the strawberries, and set a timer for a brief soak, reports the Express.
Amy warns: “It is imperative that you only let these berries soak in the solution for two minutes. If you leave your strawberries in the water for any longer than this, they will start the fermentation process.”
She adds: “At that point, it won’t matter what you do with them, they will not last.”
Firstly, rinse the strawberries and gently let them drain in a colander. Then, lay the berries on a clean towel to dry for a few hours.
There’s no need to pat them dry as this could bruise the delicate fruit. Once the strawberries are completely dry, as Amy describes it, “bone dry”, place a clean paper towel at the bottom of a sterilised glass jar before carefully adding the strawberries.
Store the jar in the fridge to prolong the freshness of the fruits as much as possible. According to Amy, this method will provide you with “fresh strawberries to enjoy for the next three weeks”.
How to freeze strawberries
Frozen strawberries are a tasty addition to ice cream or smoothies, especially when mixed with other berries like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. You can also defrost frozen strawberries, incorporate them into a cupcake batter and bake them.
Place the cleaned and dried strawberries into a sealable bag or airtight container and store them in the fridge – they’ll remain fresh for 10 to 12 months.