Fresh berries are expensive and nothing is more disappointing than buying a pint of fresh strawberries only to have them go bad in a day or two. So when we came across a tip from food scientist Harold McGee The New York Times to make the fresh berries last longer, we knew we needed to share them. McGee is a trusted source for geeky yet brilliant cooking tips rooted in science. His book, About Food and Cooking: The Science and Knowledge of the Kitchen, is the iconic resource for cooking tips ranging from properly blanching vegetables to perfectly cooked steaks—all with scientific research to back them up. So when McGee shares one of his cooking tricks, we always pay attention.
The secret to longer-lasting berries? Warm water bath
McGee’s secret to extending the shelf life of fresh berries? Soak them in a warm water bath as soon as you get home from the store. It’s a technique called thermotherapy, and his tests have proven it can help berries last longer so you don’t waste as much food. In the article, McGee goes into detail about the various tests he performed in an attempt to find the perfect water temperature and timing combination to extend the shelf life of the berries. In the end, McGee came up with one winning combination that kept strawberries fresh the longest: soak them in 125°F water for 30 seconds. Hot water suppresses mold growth, which extends the shelf life of berries. Here’s how to do it.
How to keep fresh berries fresh longer
As soon as you get home from the grocery store, heat a large pot of water on the stove to 125°F. (The easiest way to check the temperature of the water is to attach an instant-read thermometer to the side of the pot.) Once the water is at temperature, carefully add the berries to the water – making sure they are all completely submerged. Set the timer for exactly 30 seconds, then remove them from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. At this point, the berries can be stored in the refrigerator as usual. Of course, the berries will still spoil after a few days, but the spoilage rate will slow down and you’ll get a few extra days out of them.
Have you ever tried the thermotherapy method to extend the shelf life of berries? Let us know in the comments!