Complete guide for washing, preparing, storing and freezing berries

Learn how to wash, prepare, store and freeze strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, with our complete guide to berries.

As berry season draws to a close, here’s a handy guide for learning how to freeze and store your favourite fruit.

How to prepare strawberries

To hull a strawberry, twist to remove the stem and leaves. Then, taking a small sharp knife, cut a small circle into the flesh around the remaining stem. Remove and discard. An easy hack to hull a strawberry is to use a sturdy, plastic straw. Simply push the straw through the tip of the strawberry and straight through the top, then discard the leaf and stem.

An easy hack to hull a strawberry is to push a straw through the tip of the strawberry and straight through the top, then discard the leaf and stem of the berry.

How to wash berries before using

As with most fresh produce, berries need to be washed before they are used. The easiest way to do this is to use a colander or sieve. Place all the berries into the strainer and pour clean water over the berries. Remove from strainer and place onto paper towel. Pat berries dry to remove excess water.

What is the best way to store fresh berries

Berries should be stored in the fridge for up to one week. Store on a plate lined with paper towel to soak up moisture.

Your berry haul can be made into ice cream.

How to freeze fresh berries

Berries can also be stored in the freezer for use in smoothies and desserts for up to one year. The best way to do this is to place clean berries on a tray and freeze them overnight – this helps them retain their shape. Remove berries once frozen and place into plastic bags and store in the freezer until ready to use.

Berry season is over but you can have them year round.

How to make berry ice cubes

Add clean berries to empty ice-cube trays. You can use a mix of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries or single berries depending on your taste. Fill the ice tray with water. Freeze tray overnight, then bend to remove ice cubes. Serve with water, soda water, fruit punch or lemonade. You can add gin or vodka for a fun and easy cocktail-stye drink.

When are berries in season?

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are in season throughout the summer months. Strawberries stay in season a little longer and are generally in season throughout the later spring months.

Turn your berries into a mixed berry compote.

How to cook berries

For a simple mixed berry compote:

Place 500g mixed berries, sees from 1/2 a vanilla bean and 1/4 cup caster sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Stir to combine.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until berries have just softened. Remove from heat. Cool completely. Serve.

Top recipes using berries:

Berry overnight oats

Berries in vanilla syrup

Berry punch

Easy apple and berry salad

Mini summer puddings

Berry smoothie ice-blocks

Berry thickshake

Better-for-you banana pancakes

Chocolate chia tart with berries

Pink bircher fruit pizza

See also:

Frozen berry cooking tip

Make a summer berry cheesecake

Strawberries

Berry smoothie bowl

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as Complete guide for washing, preparing, storing and freezing berries