A 35p distilled vinegar soak can keep berries fresh for up to 10 days, eliminating mould and reducing food waste.
Berries are a summertime staple, perfect for fruit salads, morning meals, and nutritious snacking. The downside, however, is that they have a short shelf life. This often means racing to finish a punnet of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries before they turn. Fail to do so, and you're looking at unnecessary food waste and money down the drain.
How vinegar keeps berries fresh
Fortunately, there's a straightforward trick to keep your berries fresher for longer, giving you enough time to enjoy them. The answer lies in distilled vinegar, available for just 35p at Tesco. Vinegar works by getting rid of the mould that causes berries to deteriorate so quickly. Food blogger Danielle Walker swears by the method, claiming it keeps her berries fresh for up to 10 days.
She said: "I have been using this tip for years in order to buy in bulk and save money, and have berries on hand for my boys to snack on at all times since they are their favourite."
British kitchenware brand Kilner has also backed the vinegar method as an effective way to prolong the life of your berries. The brand advised: "We've found the best way to keep your berries from being thrown in the bin is to give them a vinegar bath. The diluted vinegar will eliminate any bacteria on your berries."
Step-by-step storage method
The vinegar solution should be a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to water in either a bowl or your clean sink. Empty your berries out of their packaging into the solution and let them sit for 15 minutes. "Take them out, give them a rinse with water and dry them as much as possible. A salad spinner lined with paper towels is a great method for drying berries."
Fill a large bowl with 700ml of water and add two tbsp of distilled vinegar. Put the berries into the mixture and leave them to soak for up to 15 minutes. Give the berries a gentle stir every few minutes. When finished, drain them in a colander and rinse thoroughly.
Put the berries in a salad spinner lined with paper towels and spin until they're dry. If you haven't got one, lay a clean tea towel on the worktop, place the berries on top, and pat them gently. Grab a sealable container and line it with a paper towel. Arrange the berries in a single layer. If you've got more berries, lay down another paper towel before adding the next batch. Leave the lid slightly ajar to allow any excess moisture to escape, then put it in the fridge.
