STRAWBERRIES are one of the nation’s best-loved fruits – especially in summer.
Whether added to cereal, blended into smoothies, or eaten straight from the punnet, they’re a popular staple in many UK households.
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And with UK temperatures set to soar this month, we can expect more punnets of strawberries to be purchased from the supermarket over the next few weeks.
But despite their popularity, the fruit’s shelf life is short-lived, often spoiling within just a couple of days of purchase.
This unwelcome mould and mushiness mean many of us are forced to throw them out before we’ve had the chance to enjoy them – wasting both money and food.
But now, one expert has revealed a surprisingly simple and cheap trick that can extend the life of your strawberries by several days.
The best part? You probably already have what you need sitting in your kitchen cupboard. And if not, it only costs 35p in the likes of Tesco.
Storage expert Elizabeth Adams, from UrbanLocker.co.uk, says a small bottle of white vinegar could be the key to making your strawberries last longer.
“Strawberries tend to spoil quickly because of surface mould and bacteria that thrive in humid conditions,” she explains.
“Even if they look fresh in the shop, they often come into contact with tiny amounts of mould during the packaging and handling process, which accelerates the spoilage once you get them home.”
To combat this, Elizabeth recommends giving your strawberries a quick vinegar bath before storing them.
She says: “All you need to do is mix one part white vinegar with three parts water.
“Soak your strawberries in the solution for about five minutes, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water and dry them completely.
“The vinegar kills off most of the bacteria and mould spores that cause the fruit to go bad so quickly.”
Once washed and dried, you will need to store the strawberries in a paper towel-lined container with the lid slightly ajar.
This allows for a little airflow and prevents moisture from building up which is another common cause of early spoilage.
“It’s a simple trick, but it really works,” insists Elizabeth.
“Done properly, this method can help keep your strawberries fresh for up to a week and sometimes even longer, depending on how ripe they were when you bought them.”
While many people assume vinegar might affect the taste, Elizabeth reassures that it doesn’t.
“As long as you rinse them thoroughly after the soak, you won’t taste the vinegar at all”, she says.
“You’re just left with fresh, clean strawberries that stay in good condition far longer than they would otherwise.”
In a time when the cost of living continues to climb, finding ways to make your food last longer is more important than ever.
Small hacks like this one can prevent waste, reduce supermarket trips, and stretch your food budget further.
Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge
IF you want your food to stay fresh, you’ll need to try out this useful hacks…
- Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks.
- Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting.
- Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer.
- Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again.
- Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh.
- Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use.
- Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy.
- Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh.
- Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life.
- Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float.
Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.