Summer is berry season, and there is an abundance of fresh, flavorful berries available to foodservice establishments. However, it is not always easy to use berries at their peak freshness.
With that in mind, the growers at Always Fresh Farms, a leading berry supplier, want to help retailers extend their berry’s shelf life with some quick and easy tips.
A few quick and easy storage steps include:
- Bathe berries with 3 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar
- Drain and rinse with cold water
- Spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with a paper towel
- Keep berries in a sealed container lined with paper towels
Before berries expire, they can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- Blended in a smoothie
- Added to pancake mix
- Puréed and frozen
- Made into a fresh berry sauce
Freezing berries to preserve them for future use is also a great option. Here are the steps for doing that:
- Rinse berries in cool water, then dry thoroughly
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or plastic rap
- Place berries in a single layer and place them in the freezer overnight
- Transfer the berries into resealable plastic bags and keep in the freezer until ready for use
