Stocking up on foods when their prices are low is a great way to save on your grocery bill. However, stocking up on fruits and veggies can sometimes be a challenge. Those summer fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries can really go bad very quickly. Sometimes it's tough to even get a couple of days from ripe berries.
You can preserve the berries by making strawberry jam, freezing the berries, or dehydrating them. But how do you make fresh berries last longer? It isn't as hard as it seems. With a few tricks, you can have your berries last a week or longer.
Kill The Bacteria
The first step to helping your berries last longer is to kill off any bacteria or mold. You will want to wash your berries in a bath of vinegar water. Mix 3 cups water and 1 cup vinegar together in a large bowl and then let the berries soak in the mixture for about 5 to 10 minutes to really kill off all the bacteria.
Dry Them Completely
Once your berries are done soaking in the vinegar mixture drain them and lay them out to dry on paper towels or clean dish towels. You will want to let them dry 100 percent before you put them up. If they are still damp they will go bad much quicker. I just let mine sit and come back a few hours later to put them up.
Let Them Breathe
After your berries are dry it is time to store them. Make sure you choose a container that will let them breathe. You can either wash out the container they came in or you can use a breathable tupperware. I love these breathable containers here. I picked up some just like it from Aldi and they work great! Because it isn't airtight moisture can escape and they don't spoil as fast.
So spend your summer enjoying the berries and fresh fruit instead of throwing out moldy fruits with these easy tips. You can help stretch your grocery budget further. What tips do you have for making fruits and veggies last longer?
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