Anyone who has ever brought home a basket of fresh strawberries knows this. One day they are firm, fragrant and sweet, the next they start to show soft spots and the first signs of mold. It is therefore no wonder that people are constantly looking for ways to prolong their freshness.
June is the season when strawberries are sweetest and smell all over the garden. But at the same time, it is among the fruits that spoil perhaps the fastest of all. Just a few days in the fridge and mold or softening spots will start to appear on the surface. That is why it is spreading among gardeners and lovers of home fruits, which can significantly extend their lifespan.
For a video with tips on how to care for strawberries to see the harvest, see here:
It is not about . Our grandmothers already used a similar method, only many people forgot about it over time.
Vinegar helps reduce mold
Strawberries tend to be very sensitive to moisture and mold easily develops on them. This is why some people briefly soak strawberries in a mixture of water and vinegar after bringing them home.
The most commonly used ratio is roughly one part vinegar to three parts water. Strawberries are left in the bath for just a few minutes and then thoroughly rinsed with clean water.
According to many people’s experience, this makes it last longer in the fridge without mold.
Proper drying is especially important
But washing alone is not enough. It is also important that the strawberries dry well after rinsing.
If they stay wet for a long time, they start to spoil much faster. Therefore, it is recommended to spread them on a tea towel or paper napkins and let them dry thoroughly.
Excess moisture is one of the main reasons why strawberries soften quickly in the refrigerator.
The biggest mistake is bad storage
Many people keep strawberries tightly packed in a bowl or in sealed containers. Once one rotten fruit appears, the destruction spreads quickly.
It is therefore recommended to regularly check whether there is a damaged piece between them and remove it immediately.
“If one rotten or moldy fruit appears among the strawberries, it needs to be removed as quickly as possible. The mold spreads very quickly in the bowl and in a short time it can spoil even strawberries that look completely healthy at first glance,” advises gardener Jaroslava Rubešková.
It is better to leave the strawberries whole
At the same time, experts recommend not removing stems beforehand. Strawberries stay fresh longer if they remain whole and intact.
Sliced or de-stemmed fruits lose moisture much faster and are more easily subject to spoilage.
The simpler the procedure, the better
Although there are many different tips for washing fruit, gentle handling remains the basis. Some experts recommend a baking soda bath in addition to the vinegar water, which can help remove dirt from the surface of the fruit.
But the most important thing is the combination of gentle washing, careful drying and proper storage.
It’s a shame to lose strawberries in June
Strawberries tend to be tastiest at the beginning of summer. And since their season doesn’t last long, many people are looking for ways to enjoy their freshness as long as possible.
A simple bath in vinegar water is one of the tricks that can help keep strawberries firm, fragrant and mold-free for longer.
