Summer has finally arrived. The school year is coming to an end, the beach is calling, and it’s time to trade in sweaters for sandals and stews for smoothies. With the change of seasons comes new produce. Cucumbers, cherries, tomatoes, peaches, watermelon, and, of course, berries are all summer staples. Many people enjoy strawberries. Strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberry sorbet, and even chocolate-covered strawberries appear to be their monopoly on dessert.
Still, the berry is delicious on its own. In one soft but crunchy bite, the sweet, summery flavor is perfectly matched with tartness. As a result, it’s a terrible tragedy to see fresh strawberries go bad before they can be enjoyed and eaten. Proper storage is essential for their longevity. Fortunately, there is a perfect way to accomplish this. Steph Gigliotti, a TikTok mom, said she tried this method for a couple of months and had great results…
“I’m not sure if you knew this, but I discovered this tip a couple of months ago and have been putting it to the test,” she explained. “But it really works!” Strawberries can be kept fresh in a glass jar for two to three weeks!” She stated that she did not wash the strawberries before storing them. However, she added that this method can be used on a variety of other fruits. One commenter mentioned that the mason jar is an excellent airtight container.
The lack of moving oxygen keeps the berries fresher for longer. Another person suggested wrapping paper towels around the fruit to help remove moisture. Even if you don’t use a mason jar, paper towels are an excellent way to keep strawberries fresh. Fill a regular container with unwashed strawberries and cover with a lid. The paper towels will absorb some of the berries’ excess liquid, causing them to spoil faster. This method, however, will not work as well on pre-washed strawberries.
The additional moisture from washing will cause them to spoil faster. The key to storing strawberries for a long time is to keep them as dry as possible. If you don’t have a container or one that is large enough, you can use the crisper drawer in your fridge. Line the drawer with paper towels, insert the berries, open the vents, and keep the humidity low. Make sure the berries are not piled up on top of one another.
This is bad news for those who regularly prepare meals. If you wash and hull the strawberries ahead of time, they will spoil quickly. Unfortunately, the best way to ensure freshness is to prepare them as soon as possible before eating. If you prepare for the week on Sunday, the berries are unlikely to stay fresh as the days pass.