Strawberries are one of spring and summers most delicious fruits! They keep well in the refrigerator for several days, but its important to know when you need to discard them if they start to rot.
Not all spots on strawberries mean they are unsafe to eat, so well show you the specific things you need to look for!
Fresh strawberries should be firm and have a soft floral smell. They shouldnt have any dark gouges, mold, squishy areas, or be leaking liquid.
Eating bruised fruit isn’t very appealing, but that doesn’t make it bad for you. When fruit is bruised, its skin is compromised, allowing oxygen into the fruit itself. Oxidized fruit results in cellular damage and the flesh turning brown and mushy.
Signs of Rot in Strawberries
Look for these signs to see if your strawberries have gone bad.
- Mold – older strawberries may develop white, dark brown, or black mold. The mold may be furry or look wet. It can be on the red part of the berry or the leaves.
- Soft Spots – rotten strawberries may have mushy spots. The mushy spots may be a slightly darker red or brown.
- Discolored Leaves – if the leaves at the top of the strawberry are turning yellow, are crinkly and brown, or have mold on them, they may be too old to eat. Yellowing or browning leaves are a sign the strawberries are past their prime.
- Smell – if the strawberries have a strong smell thats acrid or ammonia-like, they are past their prime and shouldnt be eaten. They wont taste good and they may make you sick.
Do you need to store strawberries in the fridge?
If you are planning on eating your strawberries the day you bought them or picked them, its safe to keep them at room temperature.
If you are keeping them for longer, its best to store them in the refrigerator.
Cut strawberries should be refrigerated after two hours.
3 Ways To Use Bruised Strawberries | Eating Trash
FAQ
Can I eat bruised strawberry?
When should you not eat strawberries?
Why do my strawberries look bruised?
Can you eat bad strawberries if you slice them?
If you slice your strawberries, make sure to eat them within two hours; if you don’t, store in the fridge and discard after two days if they are not consumed. Bad strawberries are strawberries that are mushy, damaged, leaking juice, shriveled or moldy. You should also avoid strawberries that are poorly colored.
How do you know if a strawberry is healthy?
You should also pass over strawberries that are poorly colored, have large white or green areas or sport dry, brown caps. When shopping for strawberries, choose those that have a bright, even, red color, a fresh aroma and an intact, healthy, green cap. Moldy strawberries or overripe strawberries should always be avoided.
Can you eat a bruised fruit?
The reaction does change the color as well as make the tissue feel softer or even mushy but it is not an indication that the fruit should no longer be eaten. The bruise is simply displeasing aesthetically but not a health hazard. Researchers explain that eating a brown part of lettuce, for example, isn’t bad for you.
Do strawberries go bad if they have brown spots?
When strawberries develop brown spots, they are starting to go bad. Sunken and dark areas on your strawberries are a sign they are getting old. You can still eat them at this stage as long as they don’t have any mold. A strawberry should be discarded and not eaten if it is soft and mushy with brown spots.