How to Wash Strawberries With Salt

Rinsing your strawberries in salt water will keep them fresh and tasting their best.

Strawberries are a delicious treat to enjoy by themselves, with a dip or as a topping on desserts such as cake. Washing strawberries is recommended before you eat or freeze the berries, or use them in a recipe. A solution made up of salt and water eliminates any harmful pesticides or even bugs found in the pieces. The solution also prevents the strawberries from losing their color prematurely, and it also makes them taste their best.

Things You'll Need

• Colander
• Kitchen knife
• Bottled distilled water
• Bucket or similar container

Instructions

1. Place the whole strawberries into a colander. Rinse them thoroughly for 1 to 2 minutes with cold tap water.

2. Slice or peel the strawberries as you desire. There is no one exact way for doing this before washing the strawberries.

3. Create a washing solution of bottled distilled water and table salt. Use 2 tbsp. table salt in 1 gallon of water. Adjust these quantities if washing a particularly small or large amount of strawberries.

4. Soak the strawberries fully in the solution for 15 to 30 minutes.

5. Remove the strawberries from the washing solution. Store or freeze the strawberries as you wish.

References

• Michigan State University Extension: Pre-Drying Fruit Treatment (PDF)
• The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center: Freezing Fruits (PDF)
• Pick Your Own: Blackberry Facts and Picking Tips