Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits, as they are sweet and juicy. However, like all fruits, they are perishable and need to be properly stored to ensure their freshness. If you are a fan of them, you will want to know how to tell if a strawberry is bad.
Ideally, strawberries should be nice and firm, with just a slight give to pressure. A bit of softness is often okay, but if they are squishy they are no longer good. In addition, if they have become shriveled they will lack texture and taste and are not ideal to eat.
On a healthy strawberry, the cap should be green, healthy, and still intake. When strawberries tend to go bad, their caps begin to turn brown and wilt up, often falling off too.
Like most fruits, smell and taste are some of the best ways to find out if fruit is still good. Strawberries should have a sweet smell and taste. If they smell and taste bitter or sour, they are most likely no longer good.
If strawberries begin to lose their bright red coloring, this could be a sign they are going bad. They develop white, green or brown discoloration. If you notice severe discoloration, it is best to throw your strawberries away in most cases.
If you notice that your strawberries are bruised, they are likely no longer good. If there is just one small bruise, the strawberry is probably fine, but a large bruise or several bruises is an indication they are no longer good.
Generally, strawberries will last for one week in the fridge. They can be kept in the container they came in or in one with a partially closed container with paper towels to absorb any moisture. In addition, strawberries can be frozen and kept in a Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to three months.