Cleaning Summer Berries

It's berry season! As berries are delicate and don't last for long, this is how I clean my berries which I have found very effective in keeping them fresher longer.

To a large bowl, add your berries (with their tops!) and add enough water to cover then by an inch or so.

Add 1/4 cup white vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Some say to do one or the other, some say use both and that's what I do. The 'why' in a moment! Gently swirl the berries around with your hand. Let them sit for 5 minutes. You will not taste the vinegar or salt on the berries when done!

After 5 minutes, remove the berries to a colander, take a look at the water in the soaking bowl. Very likely you will see bits of dirt and grime and possibly a small insect or two that was hiding in the berries. You've thoroughly cleaned your berries!

Rinse the berries well and move them to paper towel or a tea towel to dry. It's moisture on the berries that causes them to spoil.

When dry, store them in the container they came in (rinsed and dried) with the lid open or in a bowl. I line my bowl with a piece of paper towel.

So, why salt? The saltwater draws out fruit fly larvae, other insects and helps to remove contaminants and pesticide residues.

Why vinegar? The vinegar in the water kills mold spores and bacteria that cause the berries to spoil quickly.

This technique works for all berries - I clean strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries this way with great success for longer freshness.