How to Choose The Best Strawberries

Choosing the best strawberries is a shopping ritual that fires up in early spring. It’s frustrating to try to see them in that barely see-through plastic pint container. It’s even more frustrating when you get them home and find they’re not as fresh as you thought they were when purchased. here’s a guide to how to choose the best strawberries.

What to look for:

When purchasing strawberries, look for the following:

Color:

A ripe strawberry should be bright red from top to bottom. Green or white areas indicate that the fruit is not fully ripe. The color of the seeds can also be a good indicator – they should be yellow or red.

Size:

The size of strawberries doesn’t necessarily relate to their sweetness or flavor. Large strawberries can be just as sweet as small ones, and vice versa.

Smell:

Ripe strawberries will have a sweet, fragrant smell. If they don’t smell like anything, they probably won’t taste like much either.

Condition:

Check for any signs of mold, especially in pre-packaged strawberries. Also avoid strawberries with bruising or other signs of damage.

Stems and Caps:

The stems and caps should be bright green and fresh-looking. If they’re brown, wilted, or dry, the strawberries are likely past their prime.

Season:

The best time to buy strawberries is during their peak season, which typically runs from April to June in most regions. However, you are going to see them almost all year round depending on where you live. California, a major exporter of strawberries are available well into September. Florida’s season ends in June as the California strawberries come to market.

Nutrient Value

Strawberries are packed with vitamins, fiber, and high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols. They are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie food. They are among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity and are a good source of manganese and potassium.

A cup of whole strawberries provides approximately:

49 calories
0.5 grams of fat
12 grams of carbohydrates
3 grams of fiber
7 grams of sugar
1 gram of protein
149% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C

Insecticides

As for insecticides, strawberries are often on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen list, which means they are among the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues. If you want to avoid these residues, buying organic strawberries is a good option.

When purchasing organic strawberries, look for the USDA organic label. This ensures that the strawberries were grown without the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and are non-GMO. Washing and rinsing fruit before eating can also help reduce pesticide residues.

Remember that while organic produce generally has lower pesticide residues than conventional, the differences in health impacts are not definitive, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is important for health, whether they are organic or not. If cost or availability of organic strawberries is an issue, it’s still better to consume non-organic strawberries than no strawberries at all.

Storing strawberries properly can help them last longer and stay fresher. Here are some tips:

Don’t wash until you’re ready to eat: Strawberries absorb water easily, which can make them spoil faster. It’s best to wait to wash them until right before you’re ready to use them.
Store in the refrigerator: The best place to store strawberries is in the refrigerator. Ideally, place them in a single layer on a paper towel inside a container or a covered dish to absorb any excess moisture. This can help prevent mold growth.
Use a vinegar wash (optional): Some people swear by a vinegar wash to kill any spores on the strawberries and extend their shelf life. To do this, mix one part vinegar with three parts water, soak the strawberries in the mixture briefly, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Be sure they are completely dry before refrigerating them.
Leave the stems on: If you’re not going to eat them right away, leave the stems on until you’re ready to eat or cook with them. Removing the stems can cause the strawberries to spoil faster.
Check for mold: If you see one strawberry with mold, remove it immediately so that the mold doesn’t spread to the other strawberries.
Freezing: If you can’t consume the strawberries before they go bad, consider freezing them. To freeze strawberries, wash them and pat dry, hull them (remove the green cap and stem), then spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once they’re fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be used later in smoothies, jams, baked goods, etc.

Remember, even with these tips, strawberries have a relatively short shelf life and it’s generally best to eat them within a few days of purchasing.

More Information and Sources:

Here are some links that can help you buy the best strawberries: