All of my raspberries are flowering, and the strawberries are starting to turn pink. With boat loads {fingers crossed} of berries just around the corner, I really want to make them last—that whole savor the season sort of mentality?
There’s a super simple ways to get your berries to last longer: Give them a vinegar bath {1 cup vinegar to 3 cups water}. The vinegar kills any potential mold spores and slows down the deterioration process. Then put them in the salad spinner and give them a super gentle spin to dry them out {you can line the salad spinner with paper towels to ensure the berries are protected}. Place them in a sealable container on a bed of paper towels. Then, put them in the fridge with the lid cracked to allow for some air circulation. They should last exponentially longer than a traditional water wash and storage.
Easy right?! How about YOU, any tips to keep the berries fresh longer?
~Mavis
Erika says
Will definitely try this!
Lana says
The green Rubbermaid produce storage containers really extent their goodness. They easily keep for a week to ten days for me in them.
Katie C. says
Ooooh! Good tip! Can you taste the vinegar?
Mavis says
Nope. 🙂
Debra says
Wanted to share this tip with you and your readers. A very green way to get rid of a lot of pathogens on produce is hydrogen peroxide (like from the drug store) sprayed onto produce. THEN separately spray with vinegar. (In either order.) It kills a LOT of pathogens. Read about it here: http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arch/9_28_96/food.htm It’s not new but it’s really, really good to know about.
LOVE your blog.
Debra
mari says
Do this before freezing them, also? I have too many berries for us to eat right away, and it is already too hot to be making jam…everyone should have such problems in life 😀 !!
Mavis says
Nope. I just freeze the berries, no special treatment. 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
Do you use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar?
Mavis says
White. 🙂
Cecily says
I give my berries a dip in hot water. I fill a bowl with hot tap water (most water tanks are set at 125-135 degrees), drop in the berries for 30 seconds, remove, dry and refrigerate. They last 2-3 days longer than untreated berries. Don’t dump out the water, let it cool and use it to water your plants!
Sue says
I wouldn’t put water from my hot water tank in contact with food (unless it’s an on-demand water heater). The metals from the inside of the tank flake off (very slowly) and dissolve into the water. That’s why you don’t drink water from the hot tap either, or use it to cook with. I’m sure it would take consuming huge amounts to be a problem, but why risk it — heat cold tap water another way (teakettle, woodstove, microwave, etc) before using it for consumables.
Jennifer says
I was just wondering this yesterday, perfect timing for this blog! Thanks!
Mavis says
You’re so welcome!
Carole says
I always use the vinegar bath for all strawberries. As soon as they come in the house I “process” them. After their leisurely soak I lay them on a clean dish towel and let them dry. I always pour the bath water in the container they came in because it has great ventilation and the berries are protected. This way the container also gets a bath. I find that they last almost a full week to week and a half.
Mavis says
I didn’t even think to do it in their container. Great idea!
Lois says
Love these tips!