Strawberries and blueberries are often touted as the ultimate health foods. But when one woman shared her tip for finding fresh strawberries and blueberries at the supermarket, everyone pitched in on how to make those fruits last.
TikTok user Meredith Alston (@naptown_thrifts) posts a variety of content for her 34,000 followers, ranging from skincare routines to clothing tips. This time she has unveiled a trick to buy fresh strawberries and blueberries at the supermarket. Alston gave some background, explaining that when her husband buys berries, “they last a lot longer” and “taste better” than the ones she buys. The secret ? “He turns the tray over” and “buys those that don’t stick to the bottom of the tray.”
The video garnered 1.4 million views over the weekend, with some netizens claiming to already know the trick. “I’ve been doing this for years. I check all the trays until I find the right one,” wrote one user. “I always do that, especially with tomatoes,” added a second. “lol yes that’s the trick!!! I scrutinize each tray of berries like a scientist”, added a third.
Some have revealed their tactics for unearthing fresh berries. “Anything moldy, overripe or crushed is put back in place. You can smell them too. They should smell slightly sweet, with no strange or overly sweet smells,” one user said. “I taste one of them in the packet and if they are good I keep them lol,” a second commented. “Take the ones at the bottom. They’re probably the ones that just came out,” recommended a third.
Others shared different methods for keeping berries fresh. “Great tip! My best advice is to soak them in water with powdered grapefruit seed extract, they will last for weeks!” shared one person. “Wash them in vinegar and water at home, dry them and store them airtight, they will last a long time,” advised a second. “Keep them in glass jars once cleaned and the tails removed. They will last a really long time,” said a third.
So how do you know if you picked the wrong batch of fruit? The answer is simple: weight, odor, color and firmness are the main indicators of rotting fruit. The fruits become heavier, soft and mushy as they ripen. Plus, their colors are vibrant and their scent is juicy and sweet, according to HueTrition.
And don’t forget: a single damaged fruit can contaminate the whole batch. So the next time you buy strawberries and blueberries, consider using these tips to enjoy fresh, tasty fruit for longer.