Would you like to be able to eat strawberries all year?
Strawberries, unfortunately, are only available for a few months of the year. If you are a genuine strawberry fan, it might seem like an age before strawberry season returns.
If you are fortunate enough to have strawberries growing in your yard, you may find it difficult to consume them all in a timely manner. So, do strawberries go bad?
Is there a method to preserve them fresh and juicy for an extended period of time?
So, let’s figure out how to get the most out of your strawberries…
How To Store Strawberries?
It is preferable to wait until you are ready to consume your strawberries before washing and prepping them. Otherwise, the additional moisture might cause mold to grow on the strawberries. It’s important to have nothing pushing on strawberries during storage since they are easily crushed and punctured.
If you intend to consume your strawberries that day, you can leave them on the kitchen counter. Strawberries taste best when served at room temperature. If you chill the strawberries before eating them, they will lose part of their taste.
Store Them In The Fridge
If you are not planning to consume the strawberries for a few days, store them in the refrigerator. Strawberries are not affected by cold temperatures and will not spoil in the refrigerator. Simply allow the strawberries to come to room temperature before eating them.
Strawberries should be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. If they arrive in a plastic bag, line a plastic container with paper towels and place the strawberries inside. The paper towels will absorb moisture, preventing mold growth on your strawberries.
How To Freeze Strawberries?
Freezing strawberries is an excellent strategy to protect them from going bad for an extended period of time. Before you put the strawberries in the freezer, you need to give them a good wash, take off the stems, and make sure they are completely dry. To remove any excess water that may be on the surface of the strawberries, pat them dry with several paper towels in a gentle manner.
If desired, split or slice the strawberries, although they can simply be frozen whole. After you’ve prepped the strawberries, place them on a baking sheet so they don’t touch. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow it to remain there until the strawberries are totally frozen.
Once The Strawberries Are Frozen
After that, place them in a freezer bag or an airtight container. If you use a freezer bag, make sure to get rid of any surplus air. It is also a good idea to mark the container or freezer bag with the date of freezing.
It is critical to remember that any rotten strawberries will immediately contaminate the rest of the batch. As a result, it is necessary to thoroughly inspect each strawberry before storing it. Take out any mushy or crushed strawberries.
How Long Do Strawberries Last?
The key to preserving strawberries for as long as possible is to choose the right ones. When purchasing strawberries from a store or farmer’s market, be certain that they are totally red. The strawberries should feel firm and have no mold on them.
It is a good idea to request a strawberry sample in order to evaluate its flavor. The strawberries should be juicy and delicious. If it lacks flavor, it was probably harvested too early and will not develop fully.
Strawberries will usually survive a day if kept at room temperature. Strawberries may be stored in the refrigerator for four to seven days. If you freeze your strawberries appropriately, they should last six months or more.
Read more:
How Can You Tell If Strawberries Are Bad?
It is essential to visually check strawberries and other fruits before eating them. Keep an eye out for white or gray mold spots. Check to see whether the strawberries have kept their color and are not soft, mushy, or damaged.
If you see any of these indicators of deterioration, it is recommended to throw away the strawberries. However, if the strawberries appear to be in good condition, sniff them carefully. Get rid of the strawberries if they smell bad in any way.
One or two of your strawberries may have been slightly punctured. Green spots may appear if the strawberries were harvested too early. In each of these circumstances, the strawberries should be perfectly safe to consume.
Last Thoughts
If you have a large quantity of strawberries on the verge of going bad, now is the time to make strawberry jam. The pectin and sugar added to the fruit will assist in keeping your strawberries fresh for a long time. Strawberry jam can be stored in your cupboard for months or even years.
Strawberries may also be used to make a variety of other delicious delights. Strawberry ice cream and sorbets are perfect for a hot and sunny day. Of course, you may make healthy alternatives such as strawberry juice, fruit salad, or smoothies.
Enjoy your strawberries in whichever way you choose!
