Strawberries stay fresh for 7 days longer with clever storage method - will not go mouldy
Strawberries are known to spoil and go mouldy after only a few days, but will last a lot longer if you know the proper way to store them.
Strawberries can quickly become mushy or even mouldy only a few days after being bought, which means they have to be eaten quickly to stop them from being thrown in the bin.
However, there is an easy way to save money on food shopping and cut down on food waste as it turns out most people have been storing strawberries the wrong way.
Danielle Clark, from Mayberry Farm has shared that strawberries need to be thoroughly washed before being stored in the fridge, and this five-minute task can greatly extend the fruit’s shelf life.
She said: “An easy way to extend the shelf-life of those sweet, seasonal strawberries? Simply take a dip in some specially crafted water bath – one part white vinegar and three parts H2O.”
It may seem strange, but washing strawberries in a water and white vinegar solution will kill any bacteria on the surface which means they will stay fresh for a much longer period.
Strawberries often spoil only after a few days due to their high water content which attracts bacteria and eventually mould.
Vinegar has antimicrobial properties which can kill both bacteria and mould spores as well as wash away any dirt that might be on the strawberries.
How to keep strawberries fresher for longer
All you have to do is fill a bowl with cool water and a small amount of white vinegar and leave the strawberries to soak for roughly two minutes.
It is best to set and timer and not to let the strawberries soak for longer as it can risk the strawberries absorbing the vinegar flavour, but this will not happen if they are soaking for only a few minutes.
Once the strawberries have been washed leave them to air dry on the kitchen counter and then thoroughly pat them down with a paper towel.
Any water on the strawberries can encourage bacteria and mould once they are stored in a container in the fridge.
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Danielle said: “The most important thing when it comes to storing strawberries is making sure they are dry.
“After quickly draining them off and drying as much excess liquid with paper towels or even a salad spinner, store your berries away in an airtight container for future snacking!”
When the strawberries are dry, place them in an airtight container along with a paper towel which will absorb moisture to keep them dry and fresher for longer.
Taking them out of their original plastic packaging and putting them in an airtight container with a lid with protect them from condensation in the fridge which will prevent them from turning mouldy.
Strawberries stored this way should keep fresh for five to seven days longer than they normally would, but if you would like them to last longer consider freezing them.
Danielle said: “Transfer the berries into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to six months. Frozen berries are perfect for smoothies and baking recipes like strawberry jam bars or muffins.”
