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Kitchen 911
Berry Care
Nothing beats fresh seasonal berries and cherries this time of year, but these fragile fruits require some special attention to avoid premature deterioration. Follow these simple guidelines to extend the shelf-life of these summer treats:
- Never wash fruit until just before enjoying; eliminating moisture is the best defense to preserve quality.
- Choose strawberries and cherries with their stems attached.
- Refrigerate fruit in their container until ready to use. Or, for even longer storage, place fruit in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
- Hull strawberries after you wash them so they absorb less water.
- Freeze berries if you don’t plan to eat them within 3 days of purchase. Spread rinsed and drained fruit in a single layer without touching in a baking pan. Freeze berries, uncovered, about 2 hours or until hard. Transfer berries to freezer bags, pressing out excess air. Use berries straight from the freezer for your favorite desserts, though you will need increase baking times.