Tips to choose and keep strawberries this season

Montreal Grandma, Rhonda Massad, Strawberries, How to keep strawberries

21 Jun Tips to choose and keep strawberries this season

Posted at 11:47h in Food by rmassad 0 Comments

Strawberries are a member of the rose family and that they’re the only small fruit covered with seeds. Full of antioxidant, they contain more vitamin C than an orange. Cook them in numerous ways!

Whether you like traditional recipes or prefer trying more original dishes, what’s most important is that you enjoy the exquisite flavour of Quebec strawberries. Eat them as often as you like; they’re bursting with vitamins, minerals, and flavour! Because of their antioxidant and fibre content, they’re not only good for your taste buds, but for your health as well.

Wash as you go.

Wash strawberries only before eating them. This is important for two reasons. Strawberries are like sponges, so once wet, they soak up every bit of moisture, making them more likely to get mushy and spoil faster. Also, wet berries are more apt to get moldy.

Leave the stems on as long as possible.

Keeping the stems on until you’re about to eat the strawberries will prolong their shelf life.

Don’t let one berry spoil the whole bunch.

If you notice any moldy berries in the container, remove them immediately. Mold spreads easily, so it’s best to remove any spoiled berries before they ruin the rest of the bunch. If you’re buying berries by the clamshell at the grocery store, flip them over to inspect the bunch. If you spot a mold berry, keep looking for a better selection. Montreal Grandma, Rhonda Massad, Strawberries, How to keep strawberries

HOW TO CHOOSE

Choose bright red strawberries that are fragrant and firm. Strawberries don’t continue to ripen once picked, so partially green strawberries will stay that way.
The smaller the strawberry, the tastier it will be.
If strawberries are available in a clear plastic container, shake it gently to see if they move around. If they remain stuck together, one or more berries at the bottom of the container is probably moldy. If a container is wet, that’s a sign to avoid it.

HOW TO STORE STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries should be eaten within three days of purchase.
Store them in the refrigerator in a paper-towel-lined, airtight container, each layer separated by a sheet of paper towel. Make sure you remove any spoiled strawberries.
Don’t wash strawberries until you’re ready to use them. Avoid soaking them for too long after hulling, or water will seep in making the strawberries soft and tasteless.
For maximum flavour, place strawberries at room temperature an hour before serving.