How to Macerate Strawberries
Nothing quite says summer like a big bowl of fragrant, beautiful strawberries. Unfortunately, the strawberries you get at the supermarket usually don't taste as wonderful as they look. Macerating them, however, can give them that bright, delicious taste you crave. Here's how to do it.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- 2 pt. strawberries
- Refrigerator
- Wire colander
- 4 tbsp. Cointreau, Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
- 1 to 2 tsp. of fresh lemon or orange zest
- 1/4 c. honey (orange blossom or clover preferred)
- Large bowl
- Small knife for hulling and slicing the berries
- Fork to mash some of the berries
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-
1
Pick over the strawberries to weed out the obviously unsuitable ones (moldy or badly smashed).
-
2
Rinse the berries in a wire colander under cool running water to remove dirt, then pat dry with a paper towel.
-
3
Hull the berries and slice them up. Irregular pieces are perfectly fine and look better than a bunch of nearly identical slices.
-
4
Mash a few of the berries if you wish. Toss them with the remaining berries in a large bowl.
-
5
Add the honey and the orange liqueur on top of the berries and stir gently to coat them. If you prefer not to use the liqueur, substitute some fresh lemon or orange zest to the strawberries to add a touch of citrus to accent the flavor of the berries.
-
6
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or use them to top desserts like angel food cake or cheesecake.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can substitute sugar for the honey in this recipe, but the results won't be as delicious. The honey blends better with the berries and even works to redden them up a bit.
If possible, choose berries that do not have white "shoulders" at the top by the leafy crown. The crown should also be attached to the top, not torn off. Leave the ones that have bruising or mildew at the store.
Never wash strawberries until you are just about to use them. They will soak up moisture, and this will ruin their taste.
