Strawberries are a beloved summer fruit, used in many recipes year-round for their vibrant colour and sweet flavour.
However, their freshness is fleeting and many people experience the disappointment of watching their strawberries turn soft and mushy within days of purchase.
Selecting the perfect punnet at the store can be challenging, especially when many berries are already bruised or past their prime.
The good news is that there’s a straightforward solution to help extend the freshness of these delicious fruits for up to a year.
A food storage expert from NRC Business Waste has shared a less widespread method that is completely free and can make all the difference.
If you won’t be consuming all your strawberries soon, freezing them is a great choice to prolong their freshness.
“Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, baking, or even adding to ice cream,” the expert pointed out.
To freeze, begin by rinsing and thoroughly drying them, before transferring them to a sealable bag or airtight container and placing them in the freezer.
Properly stored, frozen strawberries can last for 10 to 12 months, making them a convenient ingredient for a variety of recipes.
Knowing how to clean strawberries properly before putting them away is an important food health step to take and it only takes a few minutes.
Start by placing the strawberries in a large bowl and rinsing them thoroughly under running water to eliminate any dirt or bacteria.
Then, soak the berries in a solution made of 60ml of white vinegar mixed with two litres of water.
“Only let these berries soak in the solution for two minutes,” recommends the expert. “Any longer, and they’ll begin fermenting, and no matter what you do afterwards, they won’t last.”
