How to keep strawberries fresh: Your definitive guide

How can strawberries be kept fresher? It all depends on how you wash and store them. Most people do it wrong, which is why a day later, the fruit is already suitable only for the trash.

Strawberry season starts in the first half of May and ends in July. We use strawberries for jams, preserves, compotes, juices, cocktails, and baked goods, but most eat them without additives.

Sometimes, strawberries start to spoil the day after purchase. How do we extend their freshness? It turns out that it all depends on how you wash the fruits. How to properly wash strawberries? Learn the method that will make the fruits remain firm longer.

Strawberries grow in beds. They come into contact with soil full of contaminants and parasite eggs, which stick to the strawberries. Therefore, eating unwashed fruits is not the best idea. Water alone is insufficient, as it won't remove fertilizer residues or parasites.

How to properly wash strawberries? You need two things—baking soda and citric acid. Right after you get home, rinse the strawberries in cold water. This will remove soil residues. After rinsing, prepare a homemade fruit rinse. Start with a baking soda solution that will remove harmful substances from the fruits. Pour about 1 quart of cold water into a bowl and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Put the strawberries in it and leave them for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, rinse them under cold water, then prepare the acid rinse, which will remove parasite eggs. Rinse the bowl and pour in about 1 quart of cold water. Add a tablespoon of citric acid and immerse the strawberries in this mixture. Leave them for another 5 minutes, and after 5 minutes, rinse them under cold water.

Soaking strawberries in baking soda and citric acid solution removes contaminants and prevents mold growth. If you want the strawberries to stay fresh and firm as long as possible, dry them with a clean paper towel after washing and transfer them to a large container.

Make sure the fruits have plenty of space. Otherwise, they will release juices, speeding up the rotting process. Do not remove the stems—this will keep them fresh longer.

How long can strawberries be stored in the refrigerator? Sealed in an airtight container, they can last up to five days, while in a bowl, they can last a maximum of three days as long as they don’t start releasing juices.