The month of April arrives and the fruit stalls are filled with pink-red color. Strawberries have become one of the most demanded products in the shopping basket of many people because their consumption has multiple benefits for health, there are plenty of easy and convenient recipes to prepare and their price adjusts to the economy of a person with an average income. So that you can enjoy this delicious fruit for longer, we will tell you how to clean and preserve strawberries properly. Take note!
5 tips to preserve strawberries and make them last longer
- According to a study from the United States about the environment, strawberries are one of the twelve fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides. For this reason, before eating them, it is mandatory to wash them well and consume them as soon as possible, since it is a very sensitive fruit that tends to deteriorate very easily.
- Heat, transport and humidity are the three enemies of strawberries. Have you noticed that the supermarket tubs that contain this product have holes? This is done in this way so that they breathe well, do not darken and, with this, prevent the appearance of mold.
- And so that you can keep them well at home without fear of them going bad sooner than expected, we are going to tell you the best technique to keep strawberries in the fridge without them going bad. But first of all you must learn to choose them well in the supermarket and, for this, you must take into account some aspects: that they have a bright color, a fresh smell and their stem is in good condition; discard those that are pale in color and those with some green or white part.
How to preserve strawberries:
- Only wash them if you are going to consume them. If you do it beforehand with the intention of putting them in the fridge, they may spoil due to the humidity they can accumulate.
- The same goes for the stem. To keep the strawberries for a longer time, leave them with their green leaves and only remove them when preparing them for a homemade recipe (you have some ideas below) or to eat them directly.
- In the fridge or in a cool place? It depends on when they are going to be consumed. In general, the strawberry is a fruit that keeps without any problem for four or five days. If you are going to eat them the same day you bought them, leave them in a cool, dark and ventilated place. If, on the contrary, you are going to take time to consume them, put them in the drawer of the fridge so that they do not dry out. You can do it in the original container that came (as long as it has holes) or place them on a plate, cover them with paper without rubbing them and make some holes.
- Before storing them, check the state of the strawberries one by one and eliminate those that do not have a good color to prevent the rest from becoming contaminated. And, very important, take them out an hour before eating them so they are not so cold and you can taste them much better.
- If you choose to freeze them, you can do it whole (they will preserve the vitamin better) or in pieces and store them in a container where you will place them side by side and never stacked by height. As we have mentioned before, the less they are manipulated, the better. Finally, before putting them in the freezer, remember to wash them well with water, drain them and dry them gently with kitchen paper.
Benefits of strawberries
Did you know that there are more than 600 varieties of strawberries? Impossible to try them all, but if you still resist including this fruit in your diet, perhaps you should know all the benefits of strawberries for your body. Watch out!
Treat depression
Strawberries improve mood and are essential for those who are going through a depressive process thanks to their composition: they are rich in valproic acid and vitamin B1. Blueberries are also very good for treating depression. Mix them in your desserts!
Reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack
They help reduce high cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of hypertension. In addition, the consumption of strawberries or blueberries reduces, in the case of women, the chances of suffering a stroke and a myocardial infarction by 32%. Strawberries are high in potassium, which helps support a healthier heart.
Perfect to combat constipation
Those people who have bad digestions and, consequently, constipation problems, should follow a diet rich in fiber. Strawberries can become the best ally to avoid the feeling of abdominal swelling and difficulty in evacuating. If you want to get more out of them, eat them with cereals and intestinal transit will improve considerably. Another advantage is that they will help you control and even lose weight because they have very few calories (30 to 40 calories per 100 grams).
Recommended in pregnancy
Another of the beneficial components of strawberries for health and, especially for pregnant women, is folic acid, an important vitamin for the proper development of the baby.
Relieve asthma and allergies
Strawberries are recommended to those people who have a very weak immune system thanks to their vitamin C content. For this reason, they become an essential food for those who suffer from asthma and/or allergies, since they alleviate some of the symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose or hives.
Cancer shield
The antioxidants found in strawberries work against free radicals, slowing the growth of tumors. A study carried out in China says that the consumption of this fruit significantly reduces the chances of suffering from esophageal cancer.
Delicious recipes to make with strawberries
From rich salads to delicious gazpachos without forgetting, of course, the desserts. Strawberries offer a multitude of possibilities for lovers of cooking. Here we leave you with three scrumptious recipes.
+Strawberry salad, with spinach and tomatoes
Are you looking for something fast, healthy and light? This salad is perfect for you. Clean the spinach well, cut the strawberries and tomatoes, season with oil, salt and vinegar, and you’re ready to surprise all your diners. A rich and very colorful dish. It will enter your guests’ eyes!
+Melon and strawberry gazpacho
Something easy and refreshing for hot days. In the same bowl, cut the strawberries and the melon. Mix it well and grind. Let rest in a container in the fridge. Then, take small pieces of bread, fry them in the pan with a little oil and pour them over your mixture. Give it a more exotic touch by streaking some lime over your creation. Do you already know where you are going to serve this delicious gazpacho? Grab a glass and garnish it with a mint leaf.
+Fruit skewer
Why limit ourselves to just strawberries when we have more fruits at our fingertips? Cut pieces of apple, banana, mango, pineapple and, above all, strawberries. Place them on a skewer stick and you will have a light and very tasty dessert.
And now that you know how to preserve strawberries, all the benefits that this fruit has and several recipes to consume them, there is no excuse! Include them in your daily diet today! Yum!