How To Tell If Strawberries Have Gone Bad

Strawberries are super popular among the young. Just ask those who are between the ages of seven and nine. Per the University of Illinois Extension, 53% of this demographic said strawberries are their favorite fruit. But if the kiddos don't make you a believer in the power of these red berries, then consider the fact that 94% of homes in the United States eat strawberries. And with so many people consuming this fruit, at some point, they will wonder how to tell if their beloved strawberries have gone bad and need to be dumped down the garbage disposal. 

It happens to the best of us. You buy a pint of perfectly plump and juicy strawberries and put them in the refrigerator, only to pull them out a couple of days later and find they've developed some dark spots. Maybe some look mushy while others have some furry white mold growing on them. Is it time to toss your berries and seemingly throw money down the drain?  As the Sophisticated Caveman points out, strawberries are on the delicate side. They must be handled with care which is why California farmers take care of strawberry plants by hand. From pulling weeds to picking the berries, there's a lot of TLC that goes into the process. So how can you tell for certain your strawberries are OK to eat?

Eat By Date notes that the freshness of a strawberry largely centers around when it was picked and how it was stored. Whole strawberries are said to last five to seven days in the refrigerator and up to two days on the countertop. But how can you tell if they've gone bad? The science is actually pretty intuitive. You can tell by sight if your luscious strawberries are mushy, have dark spots, bruising, or have mold growing on them. If you find any of these characteristics emerging, it might be time to pitch them. So how can you ensure your strawberries stay fresh during the week until you are ready to eat them?

Kitchn ran some experiments to find the best way to store your strawberries for maximum freshness. They found that moisture was the greatest threat to spoiling your berries and recommend drying them thoroughly before placing them in your refrigerator. They also found that if you have the time to soak your strawberries in a solution of white vinegar and water with a 1:3 ratio, and then thoroughly dry them in a salad spinner lined with paper towels, your strawberries will indeed stay fresh for an entire week.