Ways to Quickly Ripen Picked Strawberries
Ripe strawberries are sweet and juicy, making them a favorite snack. Unfortunately, strawberries don’t ripen after they’re picked. If you’ve picked strawberries that aren’t quite ripe, there are a few ways to quickly ripen them.
The quickest way to ripen strawberries is to place them in a paper bag and leave them at room temperature for one or two days. Fold the top of the bag down so that there is some air flow and check them daily. The ethylene gas produced by the strawberries helps speed up the ripening process. This method also works with other fruits such as tomatoes, peaches, and avocados.
Another way to quickly ripen strawberries is to place them in a bowl with an apple or banana for one day. The ethylene gas produced by the apple or banana will also help speed up the ripening process of the strawberries.
You can also use a microwave oven to speed up the ripening process of strawberries. Place the unwashed berries on a paper towel on a plate and microwave on medium power for 15 seconds at a time until they are slightly soft when lightly squeezed. Make sure not to over-cook them as this can make them mushy and unappetizing.
Finally, you can leave your unwashed strawberries out in direct sunlight for an hour or two until they reach your desired level of sweetness and juiciness. Make sure you turn them every 20 minutes or so so that all sides are exposed to sunlight evenly.
By following these simple steps, you can quickly turn picked strawberries into sweet and juicy treats!
The Best Way to Ripen Picked Strawberries
Ripening strawberries is an important process in order to ensure that the fruit has the best possible flavor. If you have picked fresh strawberries, you can easily ripen them at home.
To ripen strawberries, it’s best to place them in a paper bag or cardboard box and store them at room temperature. Make sure to leave enough space in the bag or box for air circulation. You can also add a banana or apple to the container, as these fruits give off ethylene gas which helps ripen strawberries quickly.
If you need your strawberries ripe sooner rather than later, you can place them in a sunny spot for a few hours. However, be sure not to expose the fruit to direct sunlight for too long as this can cause the berries to over-ripen and become mushy.
It’s also important to check on your strawberries regularly and remove any that are overly ripe as these can cause the others to rot more quickly. Once your strawberries are ripe, they should be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag and kept in the refrigerator where they will last up to four days.
