My morning smoothies have helped cut inches off my waistline and drop 20 pounds. Along with a creative exercise routine, I'm pleased with the results! The tastiest and easiest fruit to add in my smoothies are strawberries. They're packed with antioxidants, have more vitamin C than an orange, and add a natural sweetness to your smoothie! Below are easy tips to pick the freshest and sweetest strawberries for your smoothies, or to eat alone as a quick snack.
1. Strawberries begin to crop in late May and are at their ripest in the month of July and August in Michigan, so if you're not buying them in that time frame you may get strawberries that are flown in from other countries, so It's best to buy frozen strawberries or organic.
2. Always examine the container—if the container is damp on the bottom, more than likely the fruit is beginning to rot or is spoiled. Fruit markets and grocery stores arrange the good fruit on the top of the container and the bad fruit gets placed at the bottom. This makes it difficult to spot a bad package of strawberries, so if possible pick through the package of fruit to get the freshest berries.
4. To keep them freshest do not cut off their green tops or rinse them until you're ready to eat them. Once you're ready to eat them rinse with water, remove any molded or bruised parts, cut the green tops, then pat them dry with paper towels. Place your berries in an airtight container or plastic bag. I've found adding towel paper at the bottom of the container absorbs the moisture. They can stay fresh for up to 2 days once cut and rinsed.
5. Strawberries freeze well, too. They'll stay fresh up to 10 -12 months in your freezer. To freeze strawberries use the method above and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Leave 1/2 inches of space when using containers. Be sure not to remove their tops to preserve their freshness even while freezing. Now go get those antioxidants!
Referenced Sources
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/strawberries-top-2018-dirty-dozen-list-fruits-vegetables-pesticides-environmental-working-group/
Michigan Availability Guide for Fruits & Veggies
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/osa/MI_Availability_Guide_523604_7.pdf
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