Why You Should Soak Strawberries Instead Of Rinsing Them

Strawberries are the sparkling rubies of the produce world, and when they're in season there's perhaps nothing better than that punchy, sweet-tart flavor, whether baked into a tart, turned into a three-ingredient strawberry butter, blended into a margarita, or popped like pieces of candy in their purest state. That said, it's important to have a little patience before you dive into your stash, as these gems still need to be washed before you enjoy them.

There are a number of suggestions for how best to treat your produce, and different ingredients can have their own specific instructions. While in some cases simply rinsing with water will get the job done, strawberries require a slightly different approach — it's best to soak these berries rather than rinsing.

That's because despite their undoubtable deliciousness, strawberries regularly rank on the list of foods with the most exposure to pesticides (particularly non-organic versions). And though it's critical that your berries be subject to a deep cleaning, you also don't want to cause damage to their taste and texture. Fortunately, there are a number of different soaking methods that will help you ensure an effective cleaning without compromising your prized and delicate fruit.

One method is to simply soak strawberries in hot water, which should get the job done in about 30 seconds. But some common pantry items can help you create solutions for a deeper, reliable clean — and just require an extra step and some varying soaking times. For example, mix 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, then soak your berries for about 20 minutes. Alternately, a teaspoon of baking soda mixed into 4 cups of water cuts your wait time down to about 10 to 15 minutes, while a bath in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt dissolved into 1 cup of cold water requires only about five minutes.

There are considerations to keep in mind for these options beyond soaking timing, as each may impact flavor and texture in a different way. Regardless, you'll always want to rinse the berries well after cleaning to ensure your strategy doesn't sully the flavor of your fruit.

There are some helpful storage tips for longer-lasting strawberries, and once dried well with a paper towel, you can stash them in an airtight container in the fridge. That said, it's always best to only wash what you intend to eat right away, as moisture will open the door to quick degradation. But no matter what method you decide is best for your purposes, of all the strawberry hacks you'll wish you knew sooner, this cleaning tip may be among the most important.