How To Clean Strawberries: Quick And Easy Methods You Need To Know

Is there anything that screams summer more than a basket of freshly picked strawberries? After getting your hands on a box of these vibrant red fruits from the store, it's essential to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned before indulging. Washing strawberries is crucial to remove any dirt, insects, or pesticides, ensuring that you and your loved ones enjoy them safely. Here are some speedy methods to clean your strawberries.

How To Clean Strawberries: Tips And Tricks

Wash Strawberries With Water

If you're purchasing organic, pesticide-free berries from a farmer's market or another local source, a simple rinse in cool water will suffice. After rinsing, spread them out on a dish towel or paper towel to dry. Now, they are ready for slicing, baking, or enjoying straight from the bowl.

• Place the fresh strawberries in a colander and rinse them under cold running water for several seconds. Use clean hands to gently rotate the berries, ensuring each one is thoroughly rinsed.
• Turn off the water and shake the colander to remove any excess moisture. Lay the strawberries on a clean cloth and gently pat them dry. They are now ready to eat.

Clean Strawberries With Vinegar

If you're purchasing strawberries from the grocery store, especially those grown conventionally with pesticides, you'll want to take a few extra steps to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. A mixture of vinegar and water is effective for gently removing pesticides and other chemicals from the berries.

• Fill a large bowl with a solution of four parts water to one part white vinegar.
• Place the strawberries in a colander that fits inside the large bowl. Submerge the colander in the vinegar solution, ensuring all the berries are fully covered.
• Let the strawberries soak for about 20 minutes.
• Lift the colander and rinse the strawberries thoroughly under cool running water. Pat them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. After rinsing well, you won't taste any vinegar—just the sweet, tangy flavour of fresh summer strawberries.

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Clean Strawberries With Salt

Saltwater is a great method for removing bugs from strawberries. Simply follow these steps using common pantry items:

• Dissolve about a tablespoon of salt in a bowl of warm water.
• Submerge the strawberries in the salt water and let them soak for about five minutes.
• Rinse the strawberries thoroughly with clean water, and they are ready to eat.

Clean Strawberries With Baking Soda

If you have baking soda in your pantry, it's an effective ingredient for cleaning fruit. Here's how to use it to remove pesticides, dirt, and insects:

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with four cups of water and stir until dissolved.
• Add the strawberries to the mixture and gently toss them with clean hands.
• Let the strawberries soak in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rinse the strawberries thoroughly with clean water, and they are ready to eat.

How To Store Strawberries After Washing

There are several effective methods to store strawberries:

• Place them in an airtight glass container, such as a food storage container or mason jar.
• Store unwashed strawberries on a paper towel inside a food storage container, and refrigerate them.
• Rinse the strawberries with vinegar, pat them dry, and then lay them on a clean paper towel in a glass container.
• Freeze the strawberries for longer storage.

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