March 2022

We’ve all been there. The fresh strawberries at the grocery store look amazing. But a couple of days after you’ve brought them home, that fuzzy mold has taken over. Short of eating them all immediately, is there anything you can do to keep them fresh longer? Actually, there are multiple options.

First, we recommend that you don’t wash strawberries before storing them. It may seem strange, but strawberries absorb water quickly, so once their surface becomes saturated, they quickly become mushy or moldy. Also, it’s important to inspect your strawberries before storing them to ensure they are not bruised. You may not be aware that bruised strawberries can mold more quickly. And any mold that forms on one strawberry can quickly move to others.

Sealed Tight Container

Time to break out the Tupperware or an airtight glass container to store your strawberries. Mason jars will also do the trick. You’ll want to make sure you’re using a sealed, tight container.

Paper Towels

Yes, we said it, paper towels. Paper towels absorb moisture and prevent your berries from getting moldy. Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container before placing the strawberries on top. Replace the paper towel every couple of days

Vinegar Solution

Put your strawberries in a solution of one-part white vinegar to three parts water and let them soak for 20 minutes. This vinegar solution can kill 98% of bacteria, including any mold they’ve picked up before you brought them home. After draining your strawberries, dry and store them in a glass container with a paper towel.

Freezing Strawberries

For those who want fresh fruit but can’t eat it quickly enough, consider freezing. It’s safe to eat frozen strawberries for up to a year after they have been frozen. Use a wax paper-lined cookie sheet and lay out the strawberries so they’re not touching. After freezing the strawberries for a few hours, place them in an airtight container and pop them back in the freezer. Then just pull out what you need over time. Given how small they are, they defrost quickly.