If the Strawberries Look Like This, Don't Buy Them: How to Choose Sweet Berries at the Market

When buying strawberries at the market, most people pay attention only to their appearance and price. But is everything so obvious?

There are often situations when dangerous chemicals are used during strawberry cultivation that can pose a health risk. Therefore, the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, chef Yulia Arkhipova, believes that it is worth examining several tips that will help each person choose excellent strawberries.

Appearance is important

When choosing strawberries at the market, the first thing to pay attention to is their appearance. The berries should be fresh, whole, without signs of spoilage or mold. Here are some key characteristics of quality strawberries.

1. Berries should be bright red and uniform in color. It is important to avoid berries with green or white spots, which indicate unripeness.

2. Strawberries should be firm and have a characteristic shape. Berries that are too large or deformed may indicate the presence of nitrates or other chemical additives.

3. Fresh strawberries have a natural shine. Dull berries may be overripe or treated with chemicals to improve their appearance.

4. The leaves on top of the berries should be green and fresh. Dry or brown leaves indicate that the berries were picked a long time ago.

Of course, it is not always possible to determine the real quality by appearance, but it is definitely worth paying attention to the details.

Smell: an indicator of freshness and aroma

Smell is another important indicator of quality. Fresh strawberries have a bright, sweet and rich aroma. If the berries have almost no smell or have an unpleasant smell, this may indicate the use of chemicals or that the berries have begun to spoil.

Consistency: check by touch

You can also try to press the berry lightly. Fresh and high-quality strawberries should be firm, but not too hard. Berries that are too soft may be overripe and will spoil quickly. And if there are sticky areas, then rotting processes have begun.

Taste

If you have the opportunity to taste strawberries before buying, you should definitely take advantage of this opportunity. Quality berries should be sweet and juicy, without bitterness or sour aftertaste. If the berries are tasteless or have an unpleasant aftertaste, this may indicate improper growing or storage conditions.

Seasonality is important

Many people completely forget about seasonality. A simple example: is it possible to grow natural large strawberries in the spring? If you buy them in advance, there is a high probability that various chemicals were used during their cultivation.

Signs of dangerous strawberries

Some signs may indicate that strawberries are not only of poor quality, but also potentially hazardous to health.

1. Berries that are too shiny may have been treated with chemicals to improve their appearance.

2. The presence of white or green spots. These are signs of immaturity, which may indicate the use of growth stimulants.

3. Unnaturally large size. Berries that are too large may be the result of using growth hormones.

4. If the berries do not smell, this may indicate that they were grown using chemicals.

5. Any signs of mold on berries are unacceptable and may indicate improper storage or transportation.

When choosing strawberries, it is always worth being rational and remembering to pay attention to all the details.

Earlier we told you how to properly wash champignons before frying.