Nothing beats the taste of fresh, juicy berries. Whether you have just picked them from your garden or bought them from the store, it’s important to store them properly to prolong their shelf life.

Berries are delicate fruits that can spoil quickly if not handled with care. With a few simple tips, you can keep your berries fresh in the refrigerator for weeks, allowing you to enjoy their goodness for longer.

1. Choose Fresh Berries:

The first step to keeping berries fresh is to start with the freshest ones available. When selecting berries, ensure they are plump, firm, and uniformly colored. Avoid berries with bruises, mold, or signs of excessive moisture.

2. Remove Bruised or Moldy Berries:

Before storing your berries, carefully inspect them and remove any bruised or moldy ones. A single spoiled berry can quickly spread the problem to the rest of the batch.

3. Avoid Washing Until Ready to Use:

To prevent berries from turning mushy, avoid washing them until you are ready to consume or cook with them. Excess moisture is the enemy of fresh berries and can cause them to spoil faster.

4. Store Berries in the Original Packaging:

If your berries came in a pint or clamshell container, it’s best to store them in that packaging. These containers are designed to allow proper airflow and retain moisture, keeping the berries fresh for longer.

However, ensure the packaging is clean and free from any rotting berries.

5. Use Paper Towels:

If your berries did not come in a proper container, line a storage container or airtight bag with paper towels. Place the berries on top of the paper towels and gently cover them with additional paper towels.

The paper towels help absorb excess moisture, keeping the berries dry and fresh.

6. Avoid Stacking Berries:

If possible, avoid stacking berries on top of each other. Stacking can lead to crushing and result in the berries deteriorating quicker.

If you have a large quantity of berries, consider using multiple containers or storing them in a single layer to maximize air circulation.

7. Adjust Refrigerator Humidity:

Berries are sensitive to humidity levels, so adjusting your refrigerator’s humidity can help extend their freshness. Most refrigerators have a humidity control setting.

Set it to medium or high to maintain the ideal humidity level for berries, which is around 90-95%.

8. Keep Berries at a Low Temperature:

While adjusting humidity, make sure your refrigerator temperature is set between 32-40°F (0-4°C). The cool temperature slows down the ripening process and helps berries last longer.

Avoid placing berries in the coldest part of your fridge, such as the back of the freezer compartment.

9. Check and Sort Regularly:

Ensure to check your berries regularly for any signs of spoilage. Remove any berries that have started to mold or go bad to prevent the rest from being affected.

Sorting through the batch every few days helps maintain the freshness of the remaining berries.

10. Freeze Extra Berries:

If you have more berries than you can consume within a week or two, consider freezing them. Freezing berries is an excellent way to preserve their freshness for months. Rinse the berries gently, pat them dry, and spread them out on a baking sheet.

Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage.