One of the main reasons why berries lose their freshness almost immediately after bringing home is Violation of their natural protection: a thin, wax layer called Bloom. This is an almost invisible coating that protects the delicate flesh against excessive water evaporation and limits the development of microorganisms. However, it is enough to rinse the fruit and hide them moist to a tightly closed box accelerate.
Water, which cannot be completely removed from the uneven fruit surface, accumulates inside the packaging and creates a environment with very high humidity – exceeding 90 percent. It’s simply ideal conditions for the development of mold from the types of bottry and alternaria. Therefore, washing berries should be carried out only immediately before consumption, and if it is necessary to clean prior cleaning, it should be thoroughly dried, preferably with the help of absorbent paper and without rubbing their surface.
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Another important problem is alone storage method. Placing berries in deep, containers filled to the brim leads to their crushing under their own weight. Even minor skin damage causes juice leakage, which creates ideal conditions for the development of pathogens. In such conditions, one is enough for a fruit to move the mycelium to the others during one night. For this reason, no berries should be stored layer and put each batch loosely and flat.
In order for the berries to remain fresh for several days, it is worth starting with them thorough review just after bringing home. Removing fruit with signs of damage, mold or softening reduces the risk of contamination of the entire batch. The remaining berries are best spread on a flat tray lined with a dry paper towel, which absorbs moisture. Avoiding direct contact between fruit and regular replacement of the foundation every two days extends their durability up to a week.
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Instead of washing them, which weakens the natural protective barrier, it is better to gently cleanse them of dirt or brush. Thanks to this, Bloom remains intact. If the fruit looks clean, there is no need for them additional cleansing. It is best to use a shallow container with a loosely closed lid for storage, which allows air circulation.
When there is more berries than you can eat within a few days, freezing is the most practical solution. Just spread the fruit on baking paper and put into the freezer for about an hour, and then pour into string bags. This is how it can be stored for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within nine months before they lose their nutritional value. Pasteurization will work in houses without a freezer – the berries are covered with sugar and heats up in jars, which allows you to store them for several months without losing quality.
