Strawberries are juicy fruits from the rose family and come with multiple health benefits. Know how to clean strawberries before using them in salads, desserts, and decorations. These red juicy summer fruits are a fun snack.

But, strawberries are not berries. They have nearly 200 seeds on the outside to embellish them. Known for their aroma, sweet and tangy taste, and lovely texture, these fruits were revered by the Romans for their medicinal benefits.

Did you know? Native Americans too relished these fruits for their health benefits. They are popular fruits grown in U.S and Canada throughout the year. Belgium has dedicated a museum to these juicy, aromatic fruits. Did you know there are a few ways to clean strawberries thoroughly and why you should? Read on..

How To Clean Strawberries And Why You Should Wash Them

Strawberries have pesticides and larvae which you cannot see with the naked eye. It is essential to clean them with vinegar, salt, or apple cider vinegar, and wash them thoroughly. The most common mistake of washing them is cleaning them under running water. Doing so does not keep it fresh and is not the right way to wash them either.

Unwashed strawberries contain harmful bacteria known as Salmonella or E.Coli and the fruits that easily attract pesticides. If you cut them without washing, pesticides and larvae enter the fleshy part of the fruit .

These lovely red fruits absorb water like sponge. So wash them in water only before eating. Before you wash them in water, this is how to clean strawberries.

How To Clean Strawberries With Vinegar

• Prepare a vinegar solution with 1 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of water
• Do not remove the leafy part of the fruit
• Soak strawberries in this solution for 20 minutes to dust off pesticides and bacteria
• Remove the vinegar solution
• Wash strawberries in running water for a few seconds
• Dry them with paper towels and refrigerate them
• Vinegar soak removes bacteria and lasts them longer

How To Clean Strawberries With Salt

• Chill the fruit at 32 farhenheit so the larvae starts dying
• Prepare a salt solution by adding 1 tbsp to 1 cup of water
• Soak strawberries in this solution for 20 minutes
• You can make a sea salt solution as well
• Remove the salt solution after 20 minutes and wash them under tap water
• Pat dry them and refrigerate

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar solution is effective to remove bugs, pesticides, and all the bad guys from the fruit. It is essential to clean them using these methods as you do not want to make a room for larvae or pesticides inside your stomach.

Rare Purple, Blue, Yellow, Green, Black Colored Strawberry Varieties

Strawberries come in stunning colors and can be grown indoors. They come with multiple health benefits. While a few are genetically bred, purple, black, and white color strawberries are grown naturally.

Purple Strawberries

This is a sweet and aromatic fruit that comes in a stunning purple color. Grow them indoors as they enhance the beauty of the small garden. Purple strawberries are grown throughout the year in U.S.

White Strawberries

They are also known as pineberries and taste like pineapples. They are commonly found in U.K. They are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants like the red variety. They are used in cooking for their aroma and texture. They have sweet and sour taste which gives it a unique flavor.

Blue Strawberries

They are genetically produced to get the blue color. A rare color, the seeds are available in a variety of colors. You can grow them indoors just like the regular strawberry. Use them for making desserts or decorate food. Gene from Arctic fish is added to get this color.

Green Strawberries

They are rich in Vitamin C and fiber. They have a tart taste. They are used in making desserts and a variety of cuisines. They are not ripe and do not taste mushy like the red variety.

Conclusion

This how to clean strawberries before eating them or using them for cooking. Make DIY homemade recipes for hair and skin and enjoy the multiple benefits that come with this succulent fruit.