As the sun intensifies and temperatures rise, many are tweaking their diets to match the season. One food item that often sees increased consumption is strawberries during this time of year.
In the UK, strawberry sales typically soar during the summer months due to the fruit being in season and its association with balmy weather and events like Wimbledon. Presently, the British berry industry can meet domestic demand for strawberries from May to October, making fresh berries a favourite among consumers.
It’s not hard to understand why, given the fruit’s sweet taste, delightful texture and health benefits. However, despite our fondness for indulging in this fruit, maintaining the freshness of strawberries can be challenging.
The fruit tends to spoil quickly due to its perishable nature, high water and sugar content and fragile structure, making it prone to mould and bacterial growth. Moisture, especially from washing or excessive humidity, can create a conducive environment for these organisms.
However, there’s a simple trick to extend their shelf life. TikTok content creator Shazo suggests a straightforward storage method to keep strawberries fresh. All you need is one common kitchen item to make it work.
In the clip, she begins by thoroughly washing the strawberries and ensuring they’re bone dry; however, it’s commonly suggested to wash them only just before consumption to avoid added moisture. Next, she snips off the stems and arranges a container with kitchen roll at the bottom.
The kitchen roll acts as a sponge for any surplus dampness, warding off sogginess or mould. Simply seal with a lid, stash in the fridge and voila – your strawberries stay in tip-top condition.
Unbeknownst to many, lining your strawberry storage with kitchen roll can “significantly extend their freshness”, according to experts. These berries are susceptible to mould and decay if not kept correctly, so a dry environment is crucial.
Kitchen roll is ideal for soaking up extra moisture, thus thwarting mould and bacterial proliferation. It’s also recommended to layer more kitchen roll on top of the strawberries for added protection.
Regular strawberry consumers should inspect their fruit frequently, discarding any that show signs of mould or spoilage to protect the rest from going mushy. While using kitchen roll in a container is wise, shun completely airtight options as such containers can harbour moisture, accelerating decay.
Preferably, use a glass dish or a ventilated container. And remember, always give them a rinse prior to indulging. Should your fridge come with a dedicated drawer, this could very well be your strawberries’ new best friend. The compartment’s knack for maintaining optimum humidity levels can be a boon for berry longevity.
Heeding such advice might just see your strawberries stay sprightly for up to two weeks, if not longer – depending on your snacking speed. The upload certainly stirred up the comment section, with one viewer exclaiming: “Yep, I tried it and it worked.”
Another seasoned fruit saver shared: “I have been doing this for years – lettuce and more.” A third replied: “It has a good result. I have been doing this for years.”
A fourth also added: “Thanks so much. It has always been troublesome that the strawberries go off so quickly.”
