Berries won't go mouldy for 10 days if stored in this way

STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES HAVE A VERY SHORT SHELF LIFE BUT ONE STORAGE OPTION WILL SEE THEM LAST FOR FAR LONGER 15:12, 21 May 2025 Berries are a great addition to the weekly shopping list

as they are a nutritious and handy snack, as well as a breakfast option when paired with yoghurt or oats. But the one downside to them is they are notoriously quick to go mouldy meaning

they will often have to be thrown in the bin before you can eat them. Getting a longer life from your berries is all down to storage. How and where you keep them will have a massive

difference to how long they last. And storing them in one particular way can extend their life by up to 10 days, according to experts. Waste management specialists at Wheeldon Brothers say

keeping berries fresh for longer not only reduces waste but also saves money at a time when food prices remain high. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are among the most commonly

wasted fruits in British homes, often spoiling within a couple of days of purchase due to their porous nature and tendency to absorb moisture. But after testing three different storage

methods, the experts found that one way of keeping your berries proved significantly more effective than the others. According to experts at Wheeldon Brothers, the reason berries spoil so

quickly comes down to their high water content and natural mould spores. “Berries are highly perishable, especially when stored in damp conditions,” a spokesperson for Wheeldon Brothers

explained. “The key is to manage airflow and moisture to slow the spread of mould.” THE BEST METHOD: VENTILATED STORAGE CONTAINER This method involved transferring berries to a plastic

fridge storage container with air holes and an internal basket that allows excess water to drain away. “Allowing ventilation while keeping berries off the bottom of the container helps

prevent them from sitting in moisture,” the spokesperson said. “It’s one of the most effective ways to store fresh berries — and can keep them edible for up to 10 days.” The container also

proved to be a space-saver in the fridge, making it suitable for other moisture-sensitive produce, too. OTHER METHODS TESTED An airtight container with a sheet of kitchen roll helped absorb

excess moisture and worked reasonably well for raspberries and blueberries. However, strawberries became soggy after just four days. “Airtight containers can trap moisture if not properly

managed,” the experts warned. “While kitchen roll helps absorb some of that, it’s not always enough to prevent spoilage — especially for fruits with softer skins.” A third method — keeping

the berries in their original supermarket packaging with kitchen roll — was the least effective for raspberries, although blueberries remained firm for up to six days. “Blueberries tend to

last longer than other berries due to their thicker skins,” the spokesperson noted. “But overall, supermarket punnets are not designed for long-term storage once opened.” JOIN THE DAILY

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Wheeldon Brothers recommend using a ventilated container and avoiding washing the berries until you’re ready to eat them. “Washing adds moisture, which speeds up spoilage,” they added. “If

you want your berries to last, keep them dry, store them in a cool place, and choose containers that allow for good airflow.” Whether you're prepping a fruit salad or just want to avoid

the disappointment of mushy raspberries, this simple switch in storage could make all the difference. “We throw away too much fresh produce in the UK,” the spokesperson concluded. “But with

the right storage, we can keep fruit fresher for longer and reduce how much ends up in the bin.” Article continues below