Do Strawberries Need To Be Refrigerated?

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The abundance of strawberries welcomes summer, but that comes with another worry about storing them. People wonder whether to freeze or refrigerate them. So, do strawberries need to be refrigerated? This question has been in many people’s minds, and its answer is not very clear.

We understand the secret to longer-lasting strawberries is keeping them in a cool place away from any warmth or sunlight. Although there are many ways to store those strawberries, we will major in storing them in the refrigerator. So let us start!

How to keep strawberries fresh

Everyone loves strawberries in their house! But it’s not the same case when you start seeing them dying away in those seasons that they are in plenty. So learning some storage tricks of keeping them fresh for longer can do you good.

You can choose to either wash them before storing, or toss them direct into storage after harvesting or after purchasing them from the store. But I would prefer washing them first, ESPECIALLY if there are kids around who need to grab and eat IMMEDIATELY.

Steps to keep strawberries fresh for long

Soaking in vinegar

After purchasing or harvesting your strawberries, the first thing to do is soak them in a vinegar bath. To make the bath, mix half a cup of vinegar with 3 cups water for soaking pound strawberries. Add in the strawberries and let them soak for 10 minutes, ensuring that they are all submerged into the solution.

You can keep stirring the strawberries from time to time. After the soaking time lapses, drain them in a colander. You should be keen on time settings as leaving them for long turns them mushy. It would help if you were to set a timer as a reminder. The vinegar acts as a killer for any mold spores that might be present in the strawberries.

Drying

After draining the vinegar mix, there will still be some water drips on the strawberries. To get rid of them, place the strawberries on paper towels till they dry. Remember moisture is a mold magnet, so you need to ensure that the strawberries have dried thoroughly.

Storing

 For your strawberries to have a longer life, you need to store them in an airtight container. But before adding the strawberries into it, line a paper towel at the bottom of the container. These paper towels will absorb any moisture that might still lurk in the strawberries. Close the lid after confirming there’s no moisture present.

How to store strawberries in the fridge

Strawberries are delicate fruits that spoil quickly. So storing strawberries well is essential. Although they can be stored on kitchen counters at room temperatures, you are sure that they will not last for over two days. That’s a reason we are going for the refrigeration option. So here is how to store your strawberries in the fridge: –

  • Take a glass bowl and place a clean and dry kitchen towel on its bottom.
  • Add your strawberries into the bowl in a single layer. No strawberry should lie on another.
  • Cover the bowl with a lid or with aluminum foil.
  • Place the bowl into the refrigerator. The strawberries can last for even seven days. It is essential to keep checking the bowl for any strawberry covered in mold. If there’s any, remove and discard it.

Important tips:

  • Don’t wash your strawberries before refrigerating them as moisture attracts mold growth. If you will be washing them, ensure you dry them thoroughly.
  • Don’t cut out the little stems on the strawberries. These green stems protect the interior of the strawberries, giving them a longer life.
  • Do not pile the strawberries on each other. Keep them in a single layer.

How to make strawberries last longer

Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that boost our immunity. The shelf life of refrigerated strawberries is relatively short. Not that the fridge method doesn’t work, no! it works pretty fine, but it would be best to have your strawberries fresher for longer than a week. Also, your strawberries could have mold spores that shorten the life of the strawberries.

So the best way to ensure the strawberries last longer is by first destroying those mold spores in a vinegar bath. If you do not like the vinegar smell that lingers in your strawberries after the soak, you can rinse off the strawberries in plain water. That, however, might accelerate mold growth, especially if you don’t dry them well.

If you won’t be needing those strawberries soon, it is always good to freeze them. Just remove the stems and then freeze on a baking sheet till they turn solid, and after that, they are stored in an airtight container.

Tip:

  • Always inspect strawberries during purchase. Those with a shiny appearance mean they are fresher and can last longer compared to dull looking.

How to store cut strawberries

sliced strawberries do not last as long as unsliced ones. But you can keep them fresh for a long without interfering with their taste or texture. So if you have any leftover sliced strawberries, check out how you can preserve them.

Storing fresh strawberries in the refrigerator

inspect your strawberries and set those with bruises aside. Then slice out the remaining ones into desired sizes. The next step is placing them in a sealable container or a plastic bag. Go ahead and put the container/bag into the refrigerator.

Pack with sugar

After slicing the strawberries, place them in a bowl, then sprinkle some sugar onto them, ensuring you coat them nicely. You can stir the strawberries till sugar dissolves, then pack them in an air-tight container.

How to keep strawberries fresh after cutting

You can put the strawberries in a plastic sealable bag, ensuring you squeeze all the air out before sealing it. You can also pour some sugar onto the strawberries then place them in a plastic bag. After that, toss the bag in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not leave them for long before storing them.

Best way to store strawberries after washing

Washing strawberries before storing them isn’t so good. Strawberries have tiny spores on their outsides that absorb water and might make the fruits rot away quite quickly. This happens even to thoroughly dried strawberries.

When stored in the refrigerator, there’s a risk of mold growth, and it’s advised to keep checking them to identify any strawberries with mold growths to be separated from the rest. So washed strawberries are best stored frozen in airtight containers.

Keeping strawberries fresh with vinegar

Vinegar is one versatile solution that’s useful in cooking, cleaning, and so many other ways. It hasn’t been left out in washing strawberries either. Strawberries are exposed to lots of dirt and bacteria, and mixing some vinegar with water will kill bacteria that might be present in them.

It also kills mold spores on strawberries by suppressing their growth. All that you need to do is to soak the fruits in a water-vinegar solution for some minutes, then drain them in a colander to dry. Before soaking, remember to remove those with funny looks and set them aside.

So afterward, store in the refrigerator, and the next time you go to grab some strawberries in the fridge, you are assured that they are bacteria-free.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQS)

How to store sliced strawberries

Sliced strawberries can be placed in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container then tossed in the freezer. The strawberries should be lined in a single layer for proper freezing. You can also place them in the refrigerator to last for 3-4 days.

How long do fresh strawberries last?

Fresh strawberries can last for 2 days on your counters, 5-7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 8 months in the freezer. Fresh, sliced strawberries can last a day on counters, up to 3 days in the fridge, and up to 4 months in the freezer.

Can you freeze blueberries?

Yes!
Freezing blueberries is quite simple. You can even freeze them in the same container you purchase them in. don’t forget to wash them up when retrieving some for eating.

Can I freeze chocolate-covered strawberries?

No!
It is best to harden those chocolate-covered strawberries in the refrigerator. Freezing them will turn them hard that taking a bite will be a problem.

How long are frozen strawberries good for?

Fresh strawberries should be consumed within 3 days, but they can push to even 12 months once frozen.

Conclusion

Strawberries can be refrigerated. Storing them in the refrigerator for long can change their appearance, but they can be brought back to life by soaking them in ice cubes. So don’t allow those strawberries to spoil when you have an appliance that can extend their shelf life.

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