Since there’s nothing as satisfying as eating fresh strawberries, knowing how to keep strawberries fresh is very important. It can be very frustrating when after buying fresh strawberries, they decide to go bad after about two to three days.
Fortunately, there are different hacks you can try when storing strawberries to prevent wastage.
Let’s briefly look at all you need to know about strawberries before we dive into how to preserve them. We’ve also listed out ways to keep your strawberries fresh for about a couple of weeks.
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1. About Strawberries
Strawberries are juicy red fruits that originated in Europe, far back in the 18th century. They contain the right amount of Vitamin B9, and potassium and are also a great source of manganese and vitamin C.
They are also highly rich in plant compounds and antioxidants which are really beneficial to the blood sugar control and heart of the body. These berries can be used in different desserts, jams, and jellies.
It might interest you to know that they consist of:
- 91% of water
- 7.7 grams of carbohydrates
- 0.3 grams of fat
- 0.7 grams of protein
- 2 grams of fiber
1.1. Fiber
The fiber contained in strawberries consists of about 26% of the carbohydrate content in the berries. This dietary fiber helps to improve the digestive health system and helps a great deal in the weight loss process.
It can also help to prevent the body from different kinds of diseases.
1.2. Carbohydrates
Since strawberries have a very high percentage of water in them, the carbs contained in them are very low. Some of these carbs come from fructose, glucose, and sucrose which also contain a good amount of fiber.
They have a relatively low amount of glycemic index meaning that they are ideal for people who have diabetes.
1.3. Vitamins
The vitamins and minerals prevalent in strawberries include the following:
- Potassium: Potassium helps in the regulation of blood pressure and is involved in other important bodily functions.
- Vitamin C: Strawberries produce a good amount of Vitamin C which is essential for skin health and the immune system.
- Folate: This is a type of vitamin B that is very essential for cells to function properly and also important in the growth of tissue. It is also very necessary for older people and pregnant women.
- Manganese: This is a trace element that is very essential for the human body. They are mostly found in fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
- 2. Health Benefits of Strawberries
2. Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries have a whole lot of health benefits ranging from preventing cancer, lower blood sugar levels, and improving heart health.
2.1. Regulating Blood Sugar
When the carbohydrates you take into the body digests, they are released into the bloodstream after your body must have broken them down into simple sugar.
Your body then secrets insulin which signals the cells to take the sugar from your bloodstream and use them for storage. If the blood sugar in your body is not properly regulated, it might lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even a high risk of obesity.
It is a good thing that strawberries actually slow down glucose digestion and also reduce spikes in glucose and insulin. Therefore, strawberries help to prevent type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
2.2. Healthy Heart
In recent times, there have been lots of deaths caused by heart diseases. There is however a relationship between berry anthocyanins and a healthy heart. Berries are said to improve blood palate function, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
They also reduce inflammation, enhance blood lipid profile, reduce oxidative stress, improve blood antioxidant status, and improve vascular functions of the body.
2.3. Preventing Cancer
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably. The formation of cancer can be linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. Since berries have the ability to fight oxidative stress, they might help prevent some types of cancer.
However, more research is needed for a better understanding of the relationship between cancer and strawberries before any strong points can be made.
3. How to Keep Strawberries Fresh
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Instead of regularly buying strawberries, there are proven hacks for storing fresh strawberries. The best way to store strawberries if you want to prolong their life span is in the refrigerator.
It is very important to keep your berries cold and dry. If you discover that one of the berries is getting bad, do not hesitate to discard it to prevent it from spreading to the other berries.
It is very important to closely watch your berries to prevent any form of spoilage.
Here are some tips on how to make your berries stay fresh:
3.1. Don’t Wash Strawberries Immediately
Strawberries are at their best when they are fresh, cold, and dry. You should wash your berries only when you’re ready to eat them and not pre-wash them. This is because when you wash them, it exposes them to moisture which can make them moldy.
Therefore, keep unwashed strawberries in the refrigerator and wash them only when you want to eat them.
3.2. Keep in a Glass Container
You should store fresh strawberries in a glass container with paper towels as they help keep the berries fresh. Paper towels also help soak up moisture and prevent berries from getting moldy.
3.3. Keep in a Single Layer
Do not stack your berries on top of each other, instead, you should place them in a single layer inside a container. They will definitely stay fresh when they are lined out in a single layer.
3.4. Keep them Whole
Resist the urge to remove the stalk from your freshly picked strawberries. They will remain fresh when kept whole.
Not removing the stems will help protect the berries and also help to increase their life span.
3.5. Keep in Airtight Container
One method that most people recommend to keep your berries fresh is to store them in a container that is airtight. All you need to do is to keep your unrinsed berries in the container, seal the lid and place it in the refrigerator.
An interesting fact about this method is that it can keep the berries fresh for up to two weeks.
3.6. Vinegar Bath Method
In this method, all you have to do is to:
- Dip strawberries in water that contains one part of vinegar for a couple of minutes.
- The next thing to do is to drain out the water and make them dry.
- You should also rinse out the vinegar residue and smell with a colander.
You can place them on paper towels to ensure that they get really dried. You should keep them in refrigeration to preserve them.
Try out this method and see if you’re wondering how to keep strawberries fresh with vinegar.
3.7. Hot Water Bath Method
In this method, all you have to do is to dunk the berries into the water of about 125°F for over 20 seconds and place them into a paper tower tray. This method helps to suppress mold growth and also increases the life span of the berries.
3.8. Paper Towel Method
This method is simple and self-explanatory. All you have to do is to place a paper towel in a jar and place unrinsed strawberries on it.
Close the lid of the jar and keep it in the refrigerator to preserve it.
3.9. Keep in the Original Container
Storing your berries in the container you got initially got them with is one way to keep them fresh. You just have to sort the good from the bad berries and place the good berries in the container in the refrigerator.
This is one of the easiest and fastest methods to keep your berries fresh and prevent spoilage.
4. How to Freeze Strawberries
One way to keep strawberries for a long time is to freeze them. Frozen berries taste really nice in ice cream, blueberries, raspberries, and even in cupcakes. You’ll have to pluck out the stem, wash the berries and then, slice them to a desired size.
Then, you place the berries on a baking sheet and leave them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. You can take them out after a while and put them in a freezer bag and store them for up to six months.
This method makes it easy to get your frozen berries into a smoothie or anything of that sort.
5. How to Keep Cut Strawberries Fresh
Cut strawberries should be refrigerated if they are not consumed two hours after they have been prepared. This will help increase the life span of the berry and also prevent it from spoiling.
This is also applicable to berries you cut for strawberry shortcake or ice cream.
These are the tips to safely cut berries:
1. Endeavour to wash your hands with soap and warm water before washing your berries
2. Slice out the damaged part of the berry before preparing or eating
3. Carefully wash berries under a running water
4. Make sure to dry the berries with a paper towel or a clean cloth
5.1. How to Freeze-Cut Strawberries
To keep your cut berries fresh, you’ll have to freeze them. Here is how to go about it:
1. Gently wash the berries
2. Pluck out the stem with a knife
3. Slice the berries into a desired shape
4. Keep the berries in a plastic bag and seal them tightly
5. Store in a refrigerator for preservation
You can try adding granulated sugar to your sliced berries to preserve the flavor.
6. How to Store Strawberry Puree
If after making your puree, you find out you have leftovers, there is a way to store and keep your strawberry puree fresh.
You’ll just have to put the puree in an air-tight container and store it in the refrigerator for a few days which can be used for your parfait or ice cream.
An interesting fact is that puree can be stored for up to three months. You’ll just need to bring it out of the refrigerator and microwave it for about 20 seconds when you want to use it.
7. How to Keep Strawberries Fresh in a Mason Jar
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The best way to do this is to keep berries in an air-tight jar and store them in a refrigerator.
Follow these steps:
1. Carefully place strawberries in an airtight jar
2. Secure the lid and keep the jar in the freezer
3. Take out the strawberries and wash them before eating
8. How to Grow Strawberries
Nothing beats the taste of strawberries that comes from a garden. This is because berries left to grow and ripened have a rich aromatic flavor that cannot be compared to their supermarket counterparts.
This is should be one reason why you would want to grow your own berries.
Follow these steps;
1. You should plant strawberries during winter or fall. The best places to plant are containers, raised beds, or in-ground gardens.
2. Plant the berries 16 to 18 inches apart so that it creates room for runners. You should also ensure that strawberries receive about 8 to 10 hours of sun daily. You should endeavor to plant them on slightly acidic soil.
3. To boost the soil, mix with inorganic matter. You should water the plants weekly and not make the mistake of wetting the leaves.
4. You can apply fertilizers on the soil to enhance fruit production.
5. It is advisable to harvest the berries immediately after they are ripe and store them in the refrigerator.
8.1. Harvesting and Storing Strawberries
It is very crucial to harvest strawberries early in the morning when the fruits are really cold. You should also store it in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
You should also wash the berries when it’s time for eating or preparation. Leftover strawberries can be frozen, dried, or made into jam.
9. Final Thoughts
Keeping strawberries fresh isn’t such a difficult task. You just have to ensure that your berries are completely dry before putting them in the refrigerator.
The fastest and easiest way to store berries is to leave them in their original packaging and place them in the freeze. If you have enough time, the vinegar method is one way to extend the lifespan of the berries.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
These are the frequently asked questions by those who want to know how to keep strawberries fresh
10.1. How to Keep Strawberries from Molding
The best way to keep your berries from molding is to store them in an airtight or plastic container. Put the unrinsed berries into the container and ensure it is tightly sealed.
10.2. Should Strawberries be Stored in an Airtight Jar?
It is ideal for berries to be stored in an airtight plastic container to prevent moisture which leads to molding.
10.3. How Do You Extend the Life of Strawberries?
It is very essential to store strawberries in the container they come with and also freeze them to increase shelf life. Do not forget that washing berries before storage quickly damage the berries. Therefore, store unwashed berries to avoid spoilage.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
