The
Care and Keeping of Strawberries
Not
much is better than fresh, succulent strawberries in the spring. But
they are kind of fragile little creatures. When shopping for strawberries,
pick only the best, ripe strawberries free from bruises. The strawberries
should be firm but of even color. Those with white or green shoulders
are not yet ripe and will not be sweet. Local berries are often fresher
and therefore better than those trucked in. Smaller berries are often
sweeter than large berries.
When you get the
berries home, pick through them and discard any that have mold. Do not
wash them and do not remove the caps. Strawberries are best if used
fresh. To keep them as fresh as possible, layer them between sheets
of paper towels in the refrigerator.
When you get ready
to use the strawberries, wash them with the caps on. Strawberries absorb
water readily and waterlogged strawberries have reduced flavor and will
be a runny mess in your favorite dish. To wash strawberries, either
rinse them quickly in gently running water or agitate them momentarily
in a bowl of water to release any foreign matter. Drain them and pat
them dry on paper towels to avoid water absorption.
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