Best Practices for Buying and Handling Fresh Berries
Everything you need to know about keeping berries fresh and clean.
Shopping for Berries
When searching for the best berries, look for colorful, sturdy, and unbruised fruits. For strawberries, look for smaller berries for maximum flavor. Generally speaking, the flavor of smaller berries is superior to that of larger berries because the latter contain a higher proportion of water.
How to Wash Berries
When washing berries, being gentle is key. Fill a bowl with cool water and then gently submerge whole berries in the water for about 30 seconds.
How to Dry Your Berries
Damp berries will turn mushy faster than dry berries. Using your hands or a slotted spoon, transfer the berries to a rimmed baking sheet or a plate lined with clean dish towels and blot the berries dry. Sturdier strawberries can be spun dry in a paper towel-lined salad spinner.
How to Extend the Life of Your Berries
As well as keeping your washed berries dry, you can dunk your berries in a bowl with 3 cups of water and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar right when you get home from the store (to prevent bacteria and mold growth) and rinse them in another bowl of cool water.
How to Store Berries
Store washed berries in a loosely covered paper towel-lined container or the original packaging at the front of the fridge. Consuming them within a day or two of purchase is best but strawberries can last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How to Freeze Berries
For quick use of strawberries, from freezer to cooking, simply wash and remove their hull; freeze small berries whole and larger berries halved or quartered. Then transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet (or a plate) and freeze them in a single layer. Once frozen, the berries can be bagged or placed in an airtight storage container and frozen for up to three months.
When Good Berries Go Bad
If your berries are softening and starting to bruise, prevent food waste by either freezing them whole or doing what restaurants do: Use a food processor to buzz them into a puree and use it for sauces or freeze the puree to have a taste of summer at the ready when you need it. Pureed fresh berries can be whisked into a vinaigrette, frozen into a granita, cooked down into a thick syrup for spooning over ice cream, or stirred into yogurt.
