I think spring is coming. Birds are chirping. My grass is starting to grow. And when I walk into the grocery store, I’m tempted by boxes of reasonably priced fat, juicy berries. Pretty soon, they’ll be all over the place, and like a sucker, I’ll buy those berries and then approximately 12 hours later, I’ll open my fridge and find them covered in mold and I’ll curse the heavens and wonder why I do this every time. I’ve said multiple times that I’m not sure I’m emotionally equipped to buy fresh berries or avocados. I can’t handle the pressure, y’all.
Except it doesn’t have to be this way.
This little trick (as long as I do it) saves me all sorts of angst. It buys me a few days (at least) and sometimes up to a week.
When you get home with your berries, pop open the container and remove any shriveled or moldy berries, or, at the very least, any you wouldn’t want to eat.
Place the berries in a large mixing bowl.
Now, all you need is some apple cider vinegar. Sara and I have both talked a lot about Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, but you guys, it’s the best.
There are people who drink it for the supposed health benefits (I can’t…I’ve tried…), and then there are people like me who just use it because it’s awesome. It’s brown and murky and the flavor is amazing (but we’re not using it here for the flavor). I used to have to buy it online, but in the last year or so, I’ve been able to find it at any grocery store.
Anyway.
Pour about 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar into each bowl.
Then cover with lukewarm water.
Gently agitate the berries. Allow them to stand in the water for 20 minutes, agitating every 5 minutes or so. Then drain and rinse them (this will also help perk up any dreary looking berries.) You can eat them immediately or store them in an airtight container or large ziploc bag.
You’ll be amazed how much longer they last and how great they taste!
How to Make Your Berries last
Description
A quick and easy hack to help your berries last longer!
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.
- Organic apple cider vinegar (with “the mother,” like Bragg’s)
- Lukewarm water
Instructions
- Place berries in a bowl (either together or separate, depending on how you want to use them). Add 1-2 tablespoons vinegar per bowl, then fill with lukewarm water. Agitate gently, then allow to stand for 20 minutes, agitating every 5 minutes or so. Drain and rinse, then store in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
Questions & Reviews
With berries being not much cheaper than gold, I used this vinegar trick today for my over $50 worth of berries! Hope it works.
Yay!! Let us know how it goes!
An additional trick I love is to place the berries in a paper bag, or even wrapped loosely in newspaper. It keeps them from getting moldy or mushy for up to a week–neither too damp nor too dry. I bet after their vinegar bath they’d REALLY stay nice!
White vinegar works just as well. I just swish them around for a few minutes then drain thrm. No rinsing required. They don’t taste like vinegar either
Vinegar also cleans pesticides from the fruit.
Love this tip thank you! What are your blue and yellow berry baskets made of and where from? They are adorable!
I *think* they’re from World Market, but maybe anthropologie? It’s been a few years, haha!
Great idea i’m trying it very soon
Thanks Dee
Super great idea, Kate! I hate wasting berries, too! :'((
I am excited to have this trick to use when I have to save my berries for longer than a day or two. But I just have to mention my laziest trick for when I only need my berries to last a day or two until Saturday morning–official breakfast day at my house. Just keep the containers of berries inside a plastic grocery bag and put them in the fridge that way. In my fridge the berries wilt (dry out?) if I put the containers in by themselves. It has the added advantage of hiding the berries so the kids don’t eat them–out of sight, out of mouth.
Thanks for this. What about bigger fruit like apples? We are going on vacation for two weeks and I have a whole bag of them right now.
This is great. A few years ago I gave my Mom one of the berry baskets . They have a lid and a strainer type gadget. She seems to think it helps. I agree about berries not lasting very long. I also work for a grocery store and sometimes we just get a bad batch.
I am so thrilled to find this! Question: I’m going to be snack baggie-ing the berries after the soak. Should I slice the stems off before soaking or after? Thank you tons for this!!
Totally up to you! You can cut the tops off of you want to make them easier for snacking/future prepping or you can leave them on if you want them on (like for dipping.)
Will it work with raspberries too? Or are those too delicate?
Yep!!! All berries (and grapes, too!)
A few years ago, I discovered the FridgeSmart containers from Tupperware and have never had a problem since. They are designed to keep all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables fresh in your fridge for double or longer the normal time. They have a smart vent system and an easy to read chart right on the front of the container. Try them, you wont be disappointed!!
Wonderful post! Would you suggest doing this with strawberries that will be dipped?
Yes, it would be great!! Just be sure to let them dry completely before dipping.
Thanks so much, Kate.
I haven’t tried the vinegar solution to save berries, but I sure recommend the FoodSaver. It is an automatic vacuum sealing system that takes out the air in containers that also slows down spoilage. I have had berries, lettuce, and avocados last for over 2 weeks by using this system.
Could I use any Apple Cider Vinegar or does it have to be organic?
I like the organic apple cider vinegar because the mother has all sorts of good stuff in it, but regular apple cider vinegar will do in a pinch. 🙂
What does “with the mother” mean?
It’s the mother culture that makes unrefined apple cider vinegar so beneficial–kind of like sourdough starter that’s been passed down for years and years, you know?
For berries, I also swear by Debbie Meyers’ Green Bags which I buy on Amazon. I’ve done experiments with strawberries bought at the same time, both left in the carton like normal and in the carton within a green bag. I’ve had berries last over a week and still look fresh-picked in the bag; not so in the container. (The science is that it is supposed to “eat” the ethylene that ripens fruit, making that gas disappear.)
Some foods (bananas, mushrooms) I haven’t noticed much difference with Green Bags, but berries work well. But Green Bags aside, I will have to try this tip, too. Thanks!
Most amazing to me is that my raspberries last close to a week in those green bags!
Would this work with grapes?
Yes!! I forgot about grapes until someone mentioned it on Instagram, but you know how your fingers/mouth smell kind of iffy after you’ve been eating grapes? None of that–this gets all sorts of ickiness off the grapes! 🙂
Genius!
Do they need to dry before putting them in a bag?
No–a little moisture will help them stay fresh. 🙂
I do this with all my berries – though I just use plain old white vinegar. I don’t want to waste my good stuff!
I really need to try this…we throw away more rotten berries than I care to admit, especially local ones in the summer. Your statement of spring is coming makes me a bit growly as I watch the snow falling on top of the metre of snow we already have! Berry season will return here one day!
Genius. And vinegar-y taste!?
Nope, not at all!!