With strawberry season starting, we want you to know how you should store your fresh strawberries to help them last.
We tend to buy several containers at our local farmers’ markets. Freshly washed, these delicious bites are perfect for snacks. We add them to salads along with walnuts and spinach for a special taste. Fresh berries are also a great addition to our desserts.
Most days our strawberries do not last long enough to worry about storing them. However, when we buy more than we can use in a day, we want to store them so we can use them in the next few days.
According to the experts at the California Strawberry Commission, the best way to store your fresh berries is in the fridge. Use the original container as long as it has holes for ventilation. If you want to maximize freshness, they suggest separating the strawberries by layering them with paper towels.
Do not remove the stems or tops before storing. Only wash as many as you want to use or eat. Even a slight rinse in water can make the delicate strawberries more susceptible to infection. That dirt layer on them is actually a protective epidermal coating against infection. Who knew?
What should do you if you have too many strawberries? Freeze them. Again, according to the experts, strawberries freeze well. Wash them, remove the green tops, and lay them on a wax paper-lined tray. Place that in the freezer until they are firm. Now you can place the berries in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Frozen strawberries are great in smoothies or pastry fillings. They are also great to use when making jams. They will get a little mushy when thawed so they probably would not be the best to use when you want a perfect looking strawberry.
To learn more about freezing all berries, check out one of our suggestions at https://www.forkscorksandbrews.com/best-way-to-freeze-berries/