You've Been Storing Your Strawberries All Wrong, And The Right Place Will Surprise You

Did you know that strawberries are one of the fruits that don't continue to ripen once picked? This fun fact is important to keep in mind when you're seduced by a beautiful container of them. You may feel like you need to bring them home, pop them in the crisper of your refrigerator, and think you can store the fruits long enough to actually eat all of them. You see, despite your best efforts, having strawberries chilling in your fridge isn't going to keep them in good shape — you need to store them in a dark, dry, and cool place, like your pantry, to do that.

Even the best varieties of strawberries have a very short shelf life. This is because they bruise easily, spoil faster than other fruits, are attacked by other germs, and lose their firmness over time. So, counterbalancing these issues with proper storage is going to help you ensure freshness and enjoy this sweet treat longer.

To keep your strawberries fresh for as long as possible, it's best to store them in a cool, dry, and dark place like a pantry, cellar, or ventilated basement. The low temperature and humidity help slow down spoilage. Avoid warm or damp areas, like a sun-drenched windowsill, since this will speed up the mold growth. Containers that allow air flow are helpful as well, since they don't allow moisture buildup. So, leaving your container lid open slightly or poking holes in the top will benefit you here. For even longer storage, you can freeze your strawberries at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, preserving them for several months.

When storing strawberries, pad the bottom of your container with paper towels to soak up extra moisture, preventing fungal growth. Try not to let them lay on top of each other and instead spread them out in a single layer. Since moisture is a big part of the problem, don't wash your strawberries before storage either. Wait to wash them until you're ready to eat. 

None of the advice given is going to do much good if your batch of strawberries is already on the wrong side of ripe. So, looking out for certain characteristics when you get a craving for this delicious fruit will work in your favor. An important characteristic when you're picking strawberries off the plant or from the grocery store is color. You want to choose berries that have a bright red appearance. Darker red, indicative of bruising, is a bad sign, as is any white or green (a little where the stem was is fine as long as the rest of the strawberry is a vibrant red).

It's not just the strawberries themselves that can be a problem. The season you're in can play a factor, too. You're going to get the freshest local options from farm stands and markets during the warmer months since strawberries are a summer crop.