How to Select and Store Strawberries

How to Select Strawberries

Strawberries only keep for a few days after being purchased, and they should be consumed within one to two days.

You should choose strawberries that are firm, plump, deeply red and shiny, with their green caps attached. Unripe strawberries should not be purchased, since they do not ripen further!

Be aware that several growers tend to produce larger strawberries, filling them with water (since they're easier to sell and provide a higher economic margin): you should choose medium-sized berries since they generally contain less water and have a better flavor.

When you buy packaged strawberries, avoid those packaged too tighly since this usually means they have been crushed and are much more perishable.

The best season for strawberries is around spring-summer, although they are available year-round. You should try to eat more of them during summer, and eat less during out-of-season months.

If you intend to give strawberries to your children for their high nutritional content, you should be aware that the important anthocyanins tend to be destroyed when foods are processed or packaged: you should purchase fresh strawberries, wash them and puree them (removing their green caps beforehand); this will help them retain their full nutritional properties.

How to Store Strawberries

Spoiled strawberries should be removed before storage, or they will contaminate the rest of the berries

Strawberries are very perishable, and should be handled with care: freezing them is usually a good method for long-term storage. You should gently wash them, to remove any traces of dirt or toxic substances such as fertilizers. Keep their green caps on: removing them tends to damage the strawberries and shorten their lifespan.

You should also remove all crushed berries to avoid them contaminating the healthy ones.

If you follow these instructions, strawberries can be kept frozen for up to a year; here's a handy trick: if you spray them with lemon juice, they will retain their beautiful deep red color, and will also preserve for longer spans due to the antioxidant effect of vitamin C.

Strawberries can be also stored for a few days in your fridge: you should spread them on a plate and cover them with plastic wrap, still taking care to remove the crushed berries and washing them beforehand.

If you intend to store them in the fridge, try to do so as soon as possible, since strawberries exposed to sunlight and high temperatures tend to spoil sooner.