How to Prepare Fresh Strawberries

Biting into a ripe, fresh strawberry satisfies your sweet tooth on a summer day. But these attractive berries can carry pesticide residue or potentially deadly bacteria such as E. coli. Always wash fresh strawberries thoroughly before eating them. Then add the gorgeous red berries to desserts or smoothies and enhance your morning meal by adding fresh berries to oatmeal and cereal.

Colander
Paper towel
Paring knife

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest or buy strawberries when the fruit displays a deep red color, possibly with white tones near the stem. Choose berries that feel firm; they gradually become more spongy as they continue to ripen. Avoid purchasing overly ripe strawberries, which bruise easily and can develop mold.
- 2
  Store the berries in the refrigerator until you plan to eat or use them. Keep strawberries covered in loose plastic wrap in the coldest area of your fridge for two to three days, at the most, advises the University of Illinois Extension.
- 3
  Place the berries in a colander in the sink and allow cold water to run over them for one minute. Rotate the berries so they all get thorougly washed. Check the strawberries for cleanliness and repeat if necessary.
- 4
  Pat the washed berries gently with paper towels to soak up excess moisture.
- 5
  Twist and pull the stem until the top portion comes off. Use a pairing knife to scoop out the remaining portion of the stem and white flesh around it.

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