How to keep strawberries fresh: Expert washing and storing tips

How can strawberries be kept fresher? It all depends on how you wash and store them. Most people do it wrong, so the fruit is often ready for the bin a day later.

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

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

Strawberries grow in beds, and the fruits come into contact with soil full of contaminants and parasite eggs. All this sticks to the strawberries, so eating unwashed fruits is not advisable. Water alone is insufficient, as it won't remove fertilizer residues or parasites.

How should you properly wash strawberries? You need two things—baking soda and citric acid. After you get home, rinse the strawberries in cold water to remove soil residues. After rinsing, prepare a homemade fruit rinse. Start with a soda solution to remove harmful substances from the fruits. Pour about 1 litre 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 litre 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 a soda solution and citric acid removes contaminants and prevents mould 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 help 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, a maximum of three days, as long as they don't start releasing juices.