Enjoy Berries Longer With A Storage Trick That Seems Wrong But May Actually Work

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Fresh berries are without argument one of the most delightful bits of produce that one can bring home from the market. The trouble, though, is that these delicate and delicious fruits are also ephemeral. It seems like overnight those perfect berries in the refrigerator can turn to a mess of mush and mold, destined only for the trash bin. Interestingly, however, there's one counterintuitive method that may significantly increase the fruit's shelf life. According to Lisa Steele, the master gardener known as the host of "Welcome to my Farm" and as the author of "In Season," when you bring those berries home, you actually want to wash them in hot water.

Generally speaking, most shoppers think of the ideal temperature for washing produce as cold to cool, but there are advantages to turning that tap toward the heat. "Using hot water to rinse berries instead of cold water will do a better job of killing any mold or bacteria on the surface of the berries," Steel explains, "which is what makes berries go bad." From a layperson's perspective, it might seem like that water would start to break down the delicate berries, but a hot water bath can actually make fresh berries last much longer. To accomplish this task, you can't be shy with the heat. "The water should be at least 120 degrees," Steele says, "which, for context, is very hot water that you can only hold your hand under for several seconds."

Fortunately, given the necessary heat, the best method here is not to run the berries directly under the tap, but rather to drop them into a filled bowl. "Place the berries into the water for 30 seconds," Steele instructs, "then use a slotted spoon or skimmer to remove the berries to baking sheets lined with paper towels to dry." The drying of the berries is a critical part of the process, at least as important to ensuring the fruit's longevity as the hot water itself.

Any moisture left on the fruit will vastly increase the rate at which it spoils. "If you have a salad spinner, you can spin the berries to help to dry them," she adds. "Once they're dry, arrange the berries only a few layers deep so they don't get squashed in a clean, paper towel-line container with vents, or loosely covered on a shelf." Storing berries with paper towels helps to ensure that the fruit stays dry, as the paper product will soak up any excess moisture, keeping it off the delicate skin of the fruit.

Once the berries are bathed and dried, all that's left to do is find them a spot in the refrigerator. For the best longevity, it's important to know which produce belongs in which crisper drawer. Considering that moisture is the main enemy, these delicate fruits belong in the low-humidity drawer. "The berries should last for at least two weeks when washed this way," Steele concludes.