Tips and Tricks
Pick Fresh, Buy Frozen, or Freeze Your Own!
Oregon strawberries are picked at the peak of ripeness, which means that when you get them, you’re ready to eat! They will not ripen any more once they’ve been picked. How to choose the perfect Oregon strawberry? Buy them fresh in Oregon from May to September, or look for frozen “Product of Oregon” or “Grown in Oregon” on the back of the freezer bag. Job done. You’ll get perfect strawberries every time!
1.
Use Your Eyes
Look for fully red berries that are dry and firm, with fresh green stems. No visible decay or mold present.
2.
Use Your Nose
Do they have a pleasant, sweet aroma? If yes, then these are the berries you’re looking for.
3.
Size & Shape Don't Matter!
In nature, nothing looks perfect or is consistently uniform. Don’t worry about size, large or small. Small berries can be juicier and more flavorful than larger berries, depending on the variety. There are no GMO strawberries, so every berry is naturally the size that it is, even the very large ones.
4.
Storing Fresh Berries
Treat them gently! Store them in the refrigerator, uncovered in the original box or other shallow container.
5.
Preparing Fresh Berries
Wash them in cold water right before you’re ready to use them. Don’t soak them as they’ll lose flavor and nutrients! Drain and pat dry before removing the stems with a huller or the tip of a knife.
6.
Freezing Berries - 1
For whole or sliced strawberries: Wash berries, remove stems & place on a baking sheet in a single layer, with a small amount of space between each berry or berry slice. Place baking sheet in freezer until they're frozen through (a few hours should do it), then transfer frozen berries to a plastic zip top bag. Be sure to press out as much air as possible from the bag to avoid freezer burn.
7.
Freezing Berries - 2
For crushed or pureed strawberries: Once you’ve gotten them to the desired texture, place into glass jars, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Place the jars in the freezer.