How to keep strawberries firm and sweet for weeks

Picking up a punnet of strawberries in the shop is no easy feat, with many of the soft berries bruised and battered before being bought.

When you do find the perfect mix of bright red, juicy fruits, it’s disappointing to watch them quickly deteriorate at home.

But if they’re stored properly in the fridge, strawberries can stay fresh for weeks longer.

Amy Cross, a cookbook author and founder of the money-saving food website The Cross Legacy, has shared a foolproof method that will keep strawberries looking, and tasting their best.

All you need is a simple glass jar, which stops mould from reaching the strawberries as it acts as a barrier to stop exposure to air and moisture.

First, put the strawberries in a large bowl and wash them under running water to scrub off any excess dirt – lingering bacteria will cause the berries to spoil quickly.

Then, pour 60ml of white vinegar and two litres of water into another bowl, set a timer and leave the strawberries to soak for a couple of minutes.

Amy warned: “It is imperative that you only let these berries soak in the solution for two minutes. If you leave your strawberries in the water for any longer than this, they will start the fermentation process.

“At that point, it won’t matter what you do with them, they will not last.”

Take the clean strawberries and gently drain them in a colander. Next, place the berries on a clean towel to dry off for a few hours. There’s no need to pat them dry or you may risk bruising the soft flesh of the fruit.

When the berries are “bone dry”, as put by Amy, place a clean paper towel at the bottom of a sterilised glass jar before carefully placing the strawberries into the container.

Pop the jar in the fridge to extend the shelf life of the fruits as much as possible. According to Amy, this method will give you “fresh strawberries to enjoy for the next three weeks”.

How to freeze strawberries 

If you’re concerned about strawberries going mouldy or mushy before getting around to eating them, consider your freezer.

Frozen strawberries taste delicious in ice cream or smoothies, especially with other berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

You can also thaw frozen strawberries, include them in a cupcake mix and bake them.

Add the washed and dried strawberries to a sealable bag or airtight container and place them in the fridge – they stay fresh for 10 to 12 months.