LifestyleFood & DrinkFoodA food expert has shared a simple trick that could help keep your strawberries fresh for up to two weeks - and it only takes a few minutes to do11:03, 25 May 2026Strawberries are arguably one of summer's most beloved fruits - yet anyone who's ever bought a punnet will know the frustration of watching them turn soft and mouldy within just a few days.‌Now, a food expert has unveiled a straightforward kitchen trick that could keep strawberries fresh for up to two weeks - and it takes only a matter of minutes.‌Food writer and cookery teacher Sheri Castle, who specialises in exploring ingredients and their journey from farm to table, says the secret lies in giving your berries a swift vinegar wash before putting them in storage.‌She explains that a simple "vinegar bath" helps eliminate the bacteria and mould spores responsible for strawberries spoiling so rapidly.To try it yourself, she recommends combining one part vinegar with three parts water, using standard kitchen vinegar.The strawberries should be soaked for roughly ten minutes with their green tops still on, before being drained and rinsed thoroughly under cold running water.‌The following step is equally crucial - drying them properly.Any remaining moisture can accelerate spoilage, so the berries need to be dried as thoroughly as possible.‌Sheri suggests using a salad spinner lined with kitchen paper to gently remove excess water until they are completely dry.Once ready, the strawberries should be transferred into a clean, sealable container lined with kitchen paper.Rather than sealing it shut, she advises leaving the lid slightly ajar to stop moisture from accumulating inside.Article continues belowOnce sealed, the container can be kept in the fridge, helping the fruit remain fresh for considerably longer than it otherwise would.Foodies claim the technique is straightforward yet remarkably efficient, with many left astonished at how such a basic step can significantly prolong the shelf life of a punnet of strawberries.Sheri notes that while it takes only a few extra minutes, it is "absolutely worth it" to avoid throwing away perfectly good fruit.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Food