$29.95
Crate & Barrel
How to properly clean and store fresh strawberries, according to experts
Rinsing them with water works, but using a vinegar-water mixture to do so is even better, according to experts.
$29.95
Crate & Barrel
In short: Yes. This is because, even if they look clean on the surface, they’re susceptible to dirt, bacteria, fungi and other microbes, according to Michael Handal, a chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). “Commercial produce may also carry trace amounts of chemicals and pesticides,” he says. “Washing fresh produce before consuming or preparing meals is imperative and washing methods will vary depending on the type and characteristics of the produce you are preparing.”
While cool water does a decent job of cleaning surface-level impurities, you can take things a step further by using a combination of water and distilled vinegar, according to Dr. Sharon Nachman, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook University. “Vinegar is an acid,” she says. “And none of the bugs like acid and certainly bacteria don’t like acid.” The vinegar is what releases bugs and bacteria from the surface of the strawberries, she says.
It’s typically better to wash strawberries as you eat or prepare them compared to washing, drying and storing them all at once. That’s because washing them at once makes them more likely to spoil faster due to the buildup of moisture. “Strawberries should be stored, unwashed, in the plastic, clamshell-type containers they were purchased in,” says Handal. “An alternative would be storing them in a loose, plastic bag.”
While you can technically wash them all at once, it’s crucial to make sure you thoroughly dry them afterward and store them in a ventilated food container because excess moisture causes them to go bad faster. It’s also important to sort out visibly spoiled or bruised strawberries before putting them in the fridge, as this also contributes to the rest of the berries spoiling, according to Handal.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about kitchen products and cleaning hacks. I also have prior experience with recipe editing and writing explainers on food storage and cleaning. I spoke with two experts for their guidance for this story.
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