When preparing fresh strawberries, people have been urged to save the berries' tops and leaves, as you can turn them into a delicious multi-use ingredient by just mixing them with one thing: sugar.
Summer Strawberry Season
Summer also signals strawberry season – and we can't get enough of the sweet fruit. Whether you grow them in your own garden or purchase them from the shop, strawberries aren't just tasty but also packed with nutrients. A single cup delivers more vitamin C than an orange, alongside dietary fibre and powerful antioxidants.
Regardless of whether you enjoy eating them fresh or transforming them into cakes or jam, most of us will rinse the berries first, then remove the tops with the green leaves. If you're preparing the fruit this way, don't be tempted to discard the tops.
That's because a food enthusiast named Elly Curshen has revealed a straightforward, appetising way to use them. In an Instagram post, Elly explained that strawberry syrup is an excellent way to use the greenery while avoiding food waste. She shared a video showing herself preparing some strawberries before working with the tops.
Elly said: "Next time you're trimming strawberries, don't bin those tops, try this instead." She then demonstrated this uncomplicated technique.
How to Make Syrup from Strawberry Tops
The food enthusiast placed the strawberry tops into a separate container or jar and covered them with sugar. You should ensure you add an equivalent amount of sugar by weight to your strawberry tops.
Simply secure the lid and give it a vigorous shake to combine everything thoroughly before placing it in the fridge. Each time you open the fridge door, give it another shake, and within a day or two, you'll have produced a wonderfully flavourful strawberry syrup.
Elly added: "As I mentioned in the video, if your strawberry tops aren't particularly juicy and the sugar has not all dissolved on day two, you can add a splash of water to help it dissolve and move the process along. Once the sugar has dissolved, strain the syrup into a bottle and keep it in the fridge. It will be fine for weeks - it's sugar!"
Versatile Uses for the Syrup
Elly went on to incorporate the syrup into drinks, drizzle it over ice cream and stir it through fruit salads with yoghurt. The possibilities, however, are virtually endless when it comes to finding the perfect accompaniment.
In the comments section, the resourceful food enthusiast revealed she had put the syrup's longevity to the test, claiming it can last up to 6 months when stored correctly in the fridge.
Viewers were quickly won over and flocked to the comments to share their reactions. One user wrote: "This is such a brilliant tip, Elly." Another gushed: "This is so clever!" And a third added: "Great timing. I made this yesterday, tastes lovely. Just need to find things to use it on now."
