The Greatest Technique to Retailer Berries, In line with Skilled Cooks

Earlier than you head out to the strawberry patches, you might wish to rethink the way you retailer your berries. In our ongoing journey to search out the very best meals storage options, we spoke to skilled cooks about how they lengthen the freshness of their produce at house. All of them agreed on one dangerous behavior that may wreck your berries quicker: Washing them earlier than storing them within the fridge. 

It’s a surefire method to “introduce extra moisture to the fruit and trigger them to spoil extra rapidly,” in accordance with Ann Ziata, a chef on the Institute of Culinary Training. A number of cooks stated that glass storage is the best way to go, like this Rubbermaid Brilliance glass meals storage container. Others suggest perforated ceramic baskets for conserving berries contemporary. Whichever materials you select, every chef is evident: Solely retailer unwashed berries.

Chef-Accepted Berry Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 4

“Berries have zero shelf life if you happen to wash them instantly,” warns Sue Zemanick, chef and proprietor of Zasu in New Orleans. She prefers to make use of a easy glass container like one in every of our favourite Rubbermaid ones. Ted Nam, government sous chef at Swissôtel in Chicago, agrees. “Moisture is the No. 1 enemy of berries; they need to solely be washed proper earlier than consumption,” he shares. To keep away from moldy berries, Nam recommends lining a meals storage container with a paper towel to soak up extra moisture and storing berries with out a lid to permit for airflow.

Onemore Ceramic Berry Basket, Set of two

Chef Leah Delyte Di Bernardo of EAT Market in Temecula, California, is obsessed with berries and solely trusts glass, chrome steel, or perforated ceramic containers like this one for storing her berries. “My technique is straightforward,” she shares. “I line the underside with a clear cotton or paper towel, place my dry berries inside, after which lay one other dry towel on prime earlier than placing it within the fridge.” A ceramic basket like this one is plastic-free, and “the fixed airflow helps to maintain the atmosphere dry and funky, stopping the form of stagnant, humid circumstances that result in mildew.”

Extensive-Mouth Mason Jars, 5-Pack

Odette D’Aniello, founder, CEO, and baker at Dragonfly Truffles, is aware of a factor or two about berry storage, given all of the compotes, fillings, and frostings she makes each day. D’Aniello says the easiest way to retailer berries is “in loosely closed Mason jars with a folded paper towel in it.” The unfastened lid ensures fixed airflow to maintain berries from getting moldy. Plus, these versatile jars are nice for storing soups, leftovers, sauces, and extra.