If you plan on using the berries within a day of buying them then you can leave them covered on a kitchen worktop.
But the best place to store them is in the fridge which can stop them from spoiling so quickly.
Just remember not to wash the berries until you plan to eat or use them for a recipe. Excess water can cause them to spoil more easily.
It turns out there is a correct way to wash them too. Avoid running them directly under water as the pressure can cause the berries to break apart and become soft.
Instead, you should fill a bowl with cold water and then place the berries in a colander to dip it in. Then line an air-tight tupperware box lined with a kitchen towel to grab any excess moisture and place it in the fridge.
Meanwhile, for strawberries, it is a totally different game when it comes to washing. For getting off pesticides and dirt a good way to clean them is to dip in a 3:1 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar.
The vinegar helps to prevent mould on the strawberries and can extend their shelf life. This also works with some other berries too.
However, try to avoid soaking them in the vinegar for too long as it may absorb the strong flavour. Once washed, you can dry them on a paper towel.
After they’ve been stored in the fridge, blueberries and strawberries can last for five to seven days.
Elsewhere, berries such as blackberries, raspberries, and gooseberries last for slightly less; around three to five days.
If you don’t plan on using them within this time frame a good way to keep them is by freezing. The berries can be great for adding them to smoothies or juices as well as baking.
All you have to do is transfer them to a freeze bag and the berries will last for up to six months.
