Berries are healthy and delicious. They're delightful as desserts, snacks, or topping for cakes and ice creams. Unfortunately, they can get spoiled once they are exposed to mould and bacteria. There’s nothing more annoying than finding out that the berries you bought a few days ago have turned bad.

These tricks help you store strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries better. Food waste prevented, money saved!

Choose the right ones from the bunch 

Do you get them from a local farmer’s market or grocery store, or pick them up by yourself? Either way, make sure you do the right selection from the bunch. Fragile, thin-skinned, one berry can affect others in the bunch. Make sure you get firm, plump, dent-free berries and avoid packs that have:

· Bruised, slimy or spoiled berries

· Dark berry stains on the base of the pack. It could be that some berries have passed their prime in the mix.

If you get home and notice there are some soft, squished berries from the pack that you get, don’t waste them. Use them to make smoothies, or turn them into compote for cheesecakes. You can also soak and mash them to make syrupy ice cream or waffles topping.

Let them breath 

Crowding berries in one container is a big no-no. They will get crushed, causing the rest to spoil even faster. What you can do instead:

· Use a wide, flat container and line with paper towels

· Cover with a loose-fitting lid to let excess moisture out

· Don’t let them sit in the coldest part of your fridge, as they can freeze. It will also make them visible when you open the fridge, so you won’t forget them.

Give them a vinegar bath 

Wait. A bath? But everyone says not to wash berries until you’re ready to eat them. That is true. But with a vinegar bath, you can kill any existing mould spores that would make them spoil faster.

As soon as you get home from the shop, you can:

· Dilute 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 3 cups of water in a salad spinner

· Add berries, swish around for about one or two minutes

· Rinse to remove any lingering vinegar taste

· Spread out rinsed berries on fresh cloth or paper towels, dry them

It could be that you're left with too many berries and you're not in a situation to use them. If this is the case, freeze the berries. Make sure you dry them after the vinegar bath and store them in freezer bags for later use. They’re perfect for baked goods like muffins, scones, cake filling, or homemade jams.

Getting your berries to stay fresher for a longer time just needs a bit of effort, but it's worth it. By practising these simple tricks, you can help them have a longer shelf life.  Do you have any other tips or tricks you want to share with us?

Text: Kathy Muenster, Zürich-based Content Designer

Foto: Unsplash