How to pick ripe strawberries (and keep them fresh)
Short version: pick berries that are red all over with no white or green tips, because strawberries do not ripen after picking. Pinch the stem just above the cap and roll the berry off, keeping the green cap on, and refrigerate them unwashed as soon as you can.
How do you know a strawberry is ripe?
Fully red, glossy and firm. MSU Extension notes berries do not ripen once picked, so a white shoulder stays white. Check under the leaves, where the best berries hide.
What is the right way to pick a strawberry?
Grab the stem between thumb and finger just above the berry, then twist and pull so the berry rolls into your palm with the cap attached. Do not pile berries too deep in one container; the bottom ones crush. Step only in the rows, not on the plants.
When is the best time of day to pick?
Morning, after the dew dries and before the heat. Warm berries soften fast. Bring a cooler for the drive.
How should you store fresh strawberries?
Iowa State Extension recommends refrigerating them right away and washing just before eating. Use them within a few days or freeze them. For jam and freezing methods see the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Timing: strawberry season by region. Farms: berry farms near you.
Quick questions
Do strawberries ripen after you pick them?
No. Pick berries that are red all over.
Should you wash strawberries before storing?
No. Refrigerate them unwashed and wash just before eating.
Sources
- MSU Extension: when to pick strawberries
- Iowa State Extension: harvesting and storing small fruit
- University of Minnesota Extension: growing strawberries
- National Center for Home Food Preservation
General guidance, not advice for a specific farm. Farm rules, prices and dates vary, so check with the farm.