Availability: All Year Around
What to look out for
It’s good to look for strawberries that posses a smooth and shine red colour, with bright green stem. They also must feel firm to touch.
Avoid berries that contains dark red spots, discoloured stems, and it feels soft and mushy to touch, as it usually indicates that the berries are not fresh any longer.
Storage
One of the biggest enemies of strawberries when it comes to storing the fruit is moisture, thus only wash the fruit prior to consumption.
Strawberries can be stored in 3 different ways:
- Counter: We do not recommend storing strawberries over the counter since it will spoil very fast.
- Fridge: Probably the best way to store the fruit is placing it in the fridge. It can last up to a week if stored properly. We recommend any of the following methods:
- Glass Container: Place all the strawberries inside an airtight glass container or a mason jar, making sure the container is completely sealed.
- Plastic Container: Line a dry paper towel over a plastic container, and add the strawberries on top. Close the lid and place the container in the fridge.
- Vinegar Solution: Soaking all the berries inside a vinegar solution ( 1 part vinegar + 3 parts water) for a few minutes. Then, dry completely all the strawberries and place them over a dry paper towel inside a glass container. Loosely close the lid.
- Freezer: Strawberries can also be place in the freezer, and they usually can last up to 10 to 12 months. The fruit can be frozen in any form, such as whole, sliced, or crushed. We only recommend that before freezing it, remove the green stem from the bottom.
Benefits
Support Weight Management
Strawberries are not only very low in calories, the fruit has a very low glycemic index, thus helping to regulate blood sugar release. By having a low (GI), strawberries are beneficial for weight management and for minimising the incidence of obesity-related diseases.
May Prevent Cancer
Studies conducted in animals pointed that a few compounds present in strawberries such a combination of polyphenols, appear to slow and even stop altogether the growth of cancer cells. Important to say that more studies are required for a definitive conclusion be achieved.
Helpful for Diabetes
Compounds such as Ellagic Acid and Ellagitannins also play a helpful role in combating and helping to manage some of the effects caused by type 2 diabetes. These two compounds can help in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure.
Benefits a Healthier Heart
Consumption of strawberries may be linked to health benefits for the heart, such as the prevention of inflammatory conditions and the reduction of heart diseases. These heart benefits may be attributed to the colourful pigments inside the fruit, also known as Anthocyanidins.