Berry season is almost in full swing. There’s nothing like the taste of fresh, flavorful berries: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. But with inflation soaring, and the resulting spike in food prices, it’s more important than ever to keep your berries from getting moldy. Here are some insider tips from the farmers’ market on how to keep your berries fresh.
Tips for Keeping Berries Fresh
1) Wash berries when you’re ready to eat them. Do NOT wash before storing.
2) Keep berries refrigerated.
3) Do not store berries in wired baskets or plastic clamshell packaging. Instead, use your own storage food container with a lid.
- To start, place a paper towel on the bottom of your container.
- Arrange a flat layer of berries onto the paper towel.
- Place a second paper towel strip on top of the first layer of berries. Add another layer of berries. Repeat this process until all the berries are laid out flat and covered with a paper towel.
Other Tips
- Buy local or regional berries. Berries that have been flown in from Chile or Peru or Mexico travel long distances, are not picked at the peak of ripeness, and are not as flavorful.
- If your budget permits, buy organic strawberries. According to the Environmental Working Group’s report in 2021, strawberries have the highest pesticide load of any produce.
- Berries are a good source of fiber. Most Americans do not eat enough fiber-rich foods.
- Berries may boost brain health. They are high in polyphenols. Polyphenols are a category of plant compounds that are found in whole berries and other plant-rich foods. Polyphenols can act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals that might harm your cells. Polyphenols are also linked to a reduction in inflammation.
Conclusion
Fresh berries are a wonderful addition to any meal, and a great way to ward off sugar cravings.
By following the above-mentioned tips for how to keep your berries fresh, you’ll be able to enjoy these sweet treats for about one week after purchase.