Have you come across a moldy strawberry? Then, are you curious about why do strawberries mold?
There’s just something different in having a fresh and juicy strawberry during the summer. If you always have a stock of strawberries, there’s a high chance that you probably already run into molds in strawberries.
If you need answers to the earlier questions, then do continue reading.
Are Molds In Food Harmful?
Molds exist in every environment. An ideal place for molds to grow is in warm and humid conditions; this is where molds thrive.
Certain molds are beneficial to foods, like the molds on specific kinds of cheeses. However, some molds can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems.
Bacteria can also accompany these molds, which may cause harm to your health.
The level of harm you can get from molds is different from each food that grows a mold. This depends on how much or what type of mold you ate.
For additional information, read this helpful guide to know which food grows molds the fastest.
Reasons Why Strawberries Mold
According to WFMY News 2, soft fruits and vegetables have high moisture content so that the mold can penetrate below the surface. Strawberries also soak up moisture quickly, making them ideal for mold spores to settle and grow.
Strawberries are packed together for convenience. This storing requires occasional monitoring to ensure that molds aren’t growing on it.
Once you spot a mold, pick it out and throw it away, or it would quickly spread to the others in around 48 hours.
Berries were highly perishable fruits. Leave them a couple of days unattended in a room, and molds would multiply on it.
Therefore, proper handling and storing is a must to enjoy a fresh strawberry for quite a time.
Ways Of Storing Strawberries
Strawberries are a seasonal fruit; it usually appears a few months into the year. Technically, it’s available all year in the market, but it’s best when it’s in season.
As mentioned previously, if you want to enjoy strawberries for an extended period, you must know how to store them properly. The following are the different ways you can keep the strawberries:
Method #1. Using paper towels
First, pick out strawberries that show signs of spoiling — line paper towels along the sides and bottom of a container. Then, place the strawberries in the container, enclose them with a lid, and store them in the fridge.
This helps strawberries last for a week.
Method #2. Using an airtight glass jar
Place unwashed strawberries into the jar, cover it with the lid, and store them in the refrigerator. With this method, strawberries could stay fresh for a week.
Method #3. Using its original container
If your strawberries came in a carton, you could use this method. Firstly, sort the strawberries and discard the ones that are already showing spoilage.\
Then, lay it back in its original box and put it in the fridge. This is a simple and easy way of storing it.
Method #4. Soak in water and vinegar solution
This method is one of the most common yet effective. Prepare a mixture of one portion of vinegar and three parts of water.
Dip the strawberries in the solution. Next, drain the strawberries and make sure to dry them thoroughly.
Place the dry strawberries in a towel-lined container. Lastly, set the container in the fridge.
Method #5. Freezing the strawberries
Rinse the strawberries, then slice off stems at the top. Prepare a baking sheet, place wax paper on it before seating the cut strawberries there.
Leave the baking sheet in the freezer for several hours. Transfer the frozen strawberries to an airtight container.
Tips For Preventing Molds On Strawberries
Proper storage isn’t enough to control the growth of spoilage; you should also know different ways to prevent mold growth. The following are practical tips in eliminating the possibility of molds growing:
- Do not wash them if you’re not ready to eat them.
- If you have bulks of strawberries that you wouldn’t eat immediately, it’s best to freeze them.
- Washing strawberries could last for two days if you stow them in the freezer.
- Not removing the stems makes it last longer.
- Washing strawberries with water and vinegar solution is the best way to extend shelf-life.
- Recognize what kind of mold grows on strawberries so that you would know how to pick one from a bunch. Missouri Botanical Garden would help you in understanding this.
- Always check your strawberries for any signs of spoilage; once you notice one, immediately throw it away to block the spoils from spreading.
- Clean the fridge to guarantee no molds are growing, which could taint the food. Here are some procedures to prevent mold in the refrigerator.
- In choosing a container for your strawberries, always choose those with a tight lid. If you don’t own a container with a lid, then cover it with plastic wrap.
- If possible, keep the humidity level in your house below 40%.
Conclusion
Knowing why do strawberries mold can aid you in preventing strawberries from spoiling prematurely. In storing strawberries, moisture is the most significant factor you must consider.
Foods are essential in maintaining good health, but this can also cause deterioration if food isn’t properly handled. Your health matters, so always consider that when it comes to your food.