Strawberries bring on a summery feeling and their sweet taste is perfect in desserts or simply as a snack. And who would forget their association with the globally loved Wimbledon tennis tournament? But if you’re a big strawberry fan, you may find that you go overboard and buy a few too many. You’ll then need to know how long strawberries last.
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How Many Days Do Strawberries Last?
When you purchase strawberries, they are usually in the ambient section of the grocery store, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they should be stored at room temperature when you get them home. While strawberries will do OK this way, you couldn’t expect them to last more than two days before they start going bad.
However, when they are kept in the fridge, strawberries may last between five and seven days. Moreover, if you don’t think you will eat the fruits in the near future, it is perfectly possible to freeze them and store them in the freezer for up to eight months, provided that they are kept in a suitable container.
How long are strawberries good for when prepared in a dish?
If you have pre cut strawberries in a bowl that you perhaps couldn’t finish, all is not lost. While they won’t remain good as long as uncut strawberries, the fruits will stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days, depending on how they are stored. Just like uncut strawberries, it is possible to freeze cut fruits but they will only remain suitable for eating for around half the time.
How Do You Keep Strawberries Fresh Longer?
There are several ways that you can make your strawberries last longer. According to a lot of testers, many of the methods that we see online for improving the shelf life of strawberries are very ineffective. For example, there is some suggestion that giving the strawberries a warm water bath before putting them in the fridge is a good idea, but this has been proven to fail.
One of the most effective ways to boost the shelf life of a punnet of strawberries is to make a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water. Dunk the strawberries in and then dry them thoroughly. Most people use a salad spinner for this but if you don’t have one then you can use kitchen towel.
When the strawberries are dry, you can then place them into a plastic container lined with paper towel. There is no need to put a lid on but be sure to keep the fruits in the refrigerator.
Should You Wash Strawberries Before Putting Them In The Fridge?
If strawberries are wet, they will not last as long whether they are kept in the fridge or on the kitchen counter. That said, if you feel you do need to wash them before storing them, you should make sure to thoroughly dry them first.
Placing the fruits on paper towels in the fridge will help to keep them dry and thus improve their shelf life. When you are ready to eat the strawberries, you should wash them under fresh running water to remove any nasties and make them safer to eat.
Do Strawberries Last Longer With The Stems?
When you buy strawberries, they almost always come with the stems attached. While it can be tempting to remove these prior to storage so that you don’t have to do it during preparation, this can be damaging to the shelf life.
The strawberries will stay at their best with the stems attached and stored in an airtight container ensuring that they are kept dry. When the stems are removed, the fruits will soak up moisture much more freely.
How To Tell If Strawberries Are Bad
When strawberries are fresh and good to eat, they will have a soft yet crisp texture. However, once they start to go bad, you will notice that they become much more mushy and soggy. As things progress even more, the fruits will become quite sloppy. You may find that some fruits in a punnet go bad quicker than others and it is fine to remove these and eat the rest.
Furthermore, when strawberries go bad, they will often change color appearing to be bruised in some areas. After this, visible mold will begin to develop and this is a sure sign that you should throw them out.
Do Strawberries Get Mushy After Freezing?
If you have decided to freeze your strawberries, you may be worried that they will come out looking mushy and this can be very off-putting. This texture can often be confused as being a sign of deterioration but it isn’t, it’s just that too much water has gotten into the fruit when it was frozen.
To avoid this happening, you should always make sure to thoroughly dry the strawberries before you put them into the freezer. This will prevent a lot of ice building up and thawing resulting in the moisture being absorbed by the fruit.
There are other ways that you can improve the quality of your strawberries even after they have been frozen. For example, you may wish to place them on a tray covered in some baking paper. Place this into the freezer and allow the fruits to fully freeze; you can then transfer them into a freezer bag where they will not stick together.
Summary
Strawberries are a delicious and sweet fruit that are loved by millions of people all over the world but if they are not stored correctly, they may quickly go bad. They are best stored in the fridge and while there are a lot of suggested methods, dunking the fruits into a vinegar bath prior to storing is thought to give them the best longevity. The most important thing to keep in mind is that water is not a strawberry’s friend so always make sure that your fruits are 100% dry before putting them into the fridge or freezer.
