Aren’t fresh strawberries the best? When they’re in season, there’s nothing quite like ‘em. Their juicy, sweet flavor is second to none, whether you’re just eating them as a snack, making breakfast, or putting them on full display as a dessert. There are even savory strawberry recipes you’ll love to try.
But how do you know if strawberries are sweet enough? You don’t want to head to a market or spend hours at a U-pick farm only to wind up with bland, unripe berries. And even if you’re growing strawberries in your own yard, you’ll want to know when the right time is to pick them.
Unlike peaches and mangoes, strawberries don’t continue to ripen after they’ve been picked. So once you’ve selected the berries, that’s as ripe as they’re going to get. But if you know how to tell if strawberries are sweet by using your senses, then you’ll pick the berry best batch. And don’t forget to buy extra and freeze them for future use! Although you can’t always substitute frozen for fresh, in many cases you can, so you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long.
How to Know If Strawberries Are Sweet
Your nose will tell you if strawberries are sweet. Ripe, sweet berries will smell very strongly of the fruit you know and love: a strong, fruity perfume. If the berries smell like nothing, they are either underripe or just not sweet enough.
Next, look at the color. Most strawberries will be uniform in color, red on both the tip and the base. If the strawberries are white or green at the top near the leaves, they will most likely be underripe because they were picked too early. The leafy top should be fresh and bright green.
Lastly, go ahead and give one a gentle squeeze. It should yield to gentle pressure but still stay firm. If it is hard, it is underripe. If it is mushy or leaky, it is overripe and past its prime. Also, avoid anything that looks moldy, bruised, or wrinkled.
How to Store Strawberries So They Stay Sweet
If you aren’t eating the strawberries immediately when you get home, it’s best to stash them in the refrigerator. Store them in an open container, lined with paper towels, in a single layer. Berries are best stored whole, and you should wait to wash strawberries until you’re ready to use or eat them. Stored properly, fresh strawberries can last up to a week in the refrigerator, but keep an eye on them. You want to make sure you eat them when they are still plump and sweet.
