Looking for some amazing food hacks?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Who’s down for some ripe, juicy strawberries? Want to dip them in chocolate or sugar?
Go for it.
As you probably know, strawberries don’t keep for long. In peak form, though, they’re delectable.
Unfortunately, that window of flavor doesn’t last long.
This easy, farmer-approved trick will change the way you handle and store your berries forever!
You can thank me later.
Strawberries have a few known nemeses.
Unlike apples, strawberries are incredibly hard to keep fresh for long periods of time.
But why?
For starters, strawberries are generally grown directly out of the ground.
This leaves them susceptible to an army of invaders, from insects to slugs.
Since they generally grow exposed and atop the soil, they’re highly susceptible to local viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Although delicious, strawberries are fragile.
If not preserved optimally, they’ll go bad in a few short days.
Have you ever stored strawberries only to find out they’ve rotted overnight?
Yeah, it’s the worst.
Rot’s caused by a myriad of factors. Generally, when we “wash” our strawberries, the water only removes contaminants associated with the skin or external to the strawberry.
But rot can come from within. The effects of fungi and bacteria can linger after harvest.
So how do we ensure a long life for our strawberries?
First things first: disinfect them!
Gather your supplies! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bowl
- Vinegar
- Water
- Paper towels
- Strainer or colander
- Container with holes
- Strawberries
Oh yeah… and an appetite!
Let’s get started.
First, put your precious berries in a bowl.
Next, mix vinegar and water. Be sure to maintain a ratio of 1 to 5 by volume, meaning that there should be five times as much water.
For example, if you’re using 1 cup of vinegar, use 5 cups of water.
Then, soak your strawberries!
Keep the strawberries submerged for 3 to 5 minutes.
Some will float to the top. Simply stir or weigh them down with a small plate.
Turns out, vinegar’s a great natural disinfectant!
The diluted vinegar bath rids the strawberries of rot-inducing threats.
After a solid five minutes, proceed to strain.
Shake and strain as much as possible, until they’re adequately dry.
Moisture begets rot.
In fact, moisture allows fungi and bacteria to flourish.
Once they’re dry, lay them out individually atop a kitchen cloth or similar surface.
Go ahead and fetch that container with holes.
Fruits release ethylene gas, which fosters ripening.
It’s wise to separate fruits from each other if you want them to last as long as possible.
Additionally, completely closed containers can trap problematic ethylene.
Proceed to line the container with paper towels.
They’ll help absorb moisture that would otherwise deteriorate the strawberries.
Next, add the dried strawberries to the holed container.
Eureka! They’re ready for fridge storage.
Now, your strawberries are ready to last!
Strawberries are the best! A plump, succulent strawberry stands among the greatest of fruits.
But if not stored properly, they’re the worst.
Sometimes, it’s hard to scarf them all down before rotting!
Fortunately, we can preserve them even longer with simple disinfection and optimal storage techniques!
So, what’s your favorite fruit?
What do you think are the most useful food hacks?
Check out the video below for some more strawberry storage tips!
Understanding simple food science can be the difference between a fridge full of rotted fruit and your next meal!
Fortunately for us, those delicious, plump strawberries won’t go bad so quickly!
