8 Mistakes People Make With Fresh Berries (choosing, storing, washing)
Berry season will be soon upon us! And, you know what that means – snacking on sweet strawberries, eating blueberries with yogurt, and putting fresh raspberries in smoothies! There is nothing better than a handful of fresh berries in the summer. Whether you are shopping at the farmers market or picking berries from the garden, there are a few tricks to help you along the way. In this guide, we will show you the most common mistakes people make with fresh berries. This includes things like picking the right fruits, washing them correctly, and storing them properly to ensure that...
Berry season will be soon upon us! And, you know what that means – snacking on sweet strawberries, eating blueberries with yogurt, and putting fresh raspberries in smoothies! There is nothing better than a handful of fresh berries in the summer. Whether you are shopping at the farmers market or picking berries from the garden, there are a few tricks to help you along the way. In this guide, we will show you the most common mistakes people make with fresh berries. This includes things like picking the right fruits, washing them correctly, and storing them properly to ensure that they remain fresh and sweet the longest. So, if you are an avid fan of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, then you definitely need to take a look at the tips that we shared below:
There are some common mistakes people make when eating berries
Common Mistakes People Make With Fresh Berries
Not picking the best fruits
To get the most out of the berry season, you need to know what to look for in each fruit. Berries are as similar, as they are different. So, scroll some more to see how you can pick the best berries of each category – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries!
Berries are very similar visually, but they have their special differences
#Blackberries
When choosing blackberries, you want to find berries that are firm to the touch and juicy. Avoid berries that look bruised or scabby. Instead, pick only blackberries that are perfectly ripe or a little before that. Make sure to check our guide for washing and storing blackberries for some extra tips.
Blackberries should be firm to the touch and juicy
#Blueberries
You want to look for smaller blueberries that look plump, and are firm to the touch. Also, pick those berries that have a greenish or red tinge! Don’t go for big berries that are soft and mushy. Take a look at our guide for washing and storing blueberries for more berry information.
Look for plump and firm blueberries
#Raspberries
When shopping for fruits, look for the most brightly colored raspberries that appear plump. Avoid berries that look bruised or those with any mold on them. Take a look at this guide for washing and storing raspberries for more detailed information and tips.
Raspberries should be bright red and without bruises
#Strawberries
When it comes to strawberries, remember that they will not continue to ripen once picked. When you shop at the grocery store or the farmer’s market (or even pick them in your own garden), look for firm, bright red strawberries with as little white on them as possible. Avoid artificial looking berries that appear white, green, or translucent. Here is our guide for washing and storing strawberries that will help keep them fresh and aromatic the longest!
Look for firm, bright red strawberries with no white on them
Washing berries at the wrong time
Many people wonder if they should wash berries before eating. In reality, washing, and drying them is a great way to keep them fresh for longer! However, you need to make sure that they are really dry, though! Our advice is to wash harder berries like strawberries and blueberries immediately. For more delicate berries, like raspberries and blackberries, we suggest washing them only immediately before eating.
Wash and dry harder berries like strawberries immediately after getting them
Not using white vinegar
To keep berries fresher longer, just give them a vinegar bath – three parts cold water to one part white vinegar. This rinse will kill the mold spores and bacteria that significantly shorten the berries’ shelf life. Leave the berries to soak for around 5 minutes, then rinse them with cold water, and pat them completely dry.
A vinegar bath will help kill mold and bacteria from berries
Make sure to leave the berries to dry completely on a rack or a towel
Storing fruits at room temperature
Although a bowl of berries may look super tempting and pretty on your kitchen counter, this really isn’t the best place to keep them. To keep your berries fresh, store them in the refrigerator.
Don’t leave a bowl of berries on your kitchen counter
Keeping berries near moisture
One of the biggest enemies of berries is moisture, so make sure the storage conditions are as dry as possible. Place your washed and dry berries in a glass container, cover it with a dry paper towel and put the berries in the refrigerator. For best results, however, you can look for a specialized produce containers that do wonders at keeping berries fresh for longer!
If you don’t dry your berries properly, they will mold very fast
Always pat washed berries dry with a clean paper towel
Wronge fridge placement
Yes, you should store berries in the fridge. However, not all fridge locations are created equal. To make your fresh berries last as long as possible, place them in the fruit and veg box and set to low humidity. High humidity should be used for vegetables.
There are many ways to store fresh berries in your fridge
Storing berries with other produce
Sure, your organizational instincts may want to group all your fruit together in the refrigerator, but produce creates ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. That is why, it is a good idea to have separate containers for your fruits and veggies. That will ensure that all of your produce will last the longest!
Don’t store fruits and vegetables together in the fridge
Throwing away mushy berries
It can be tempting to throw away berries that look a day past their prime, but give that fruit a second life. Save the taste of summer for the colder months by blending them, pouring them into an ice mold and freezing them, or turning them into jam. The options are really endless, so you have no excuse to throw any berries away!
Blend your old berries into a delicious smoothie
Or, use them to bake a delicious dessert
These were the most common mistakes people make with fresh berries! However, now you know what you should and should not do when it comes to these sweet summer fruits. With these tips and tricks, you can make sure that all your berries last the longest and remain super sweet and aromatic.
Now you know which are the most common mistakes people make with fresh berries!
