How to Buy Delicious Strawberries: Expert Tips

      May 14, 2026 08:34 Society With the arrival of spring, many strawberry lovers are looking forward to the season of this delicious berry. However, finding truly sweet and fragrant strawberries at the beginning of the season can be challenging. Dietitian Elena Solomatina shared useful tips with 360.ru on how to choose quality strawberries and when they reach their best ripeness.

      The main criterion for selecting ripe strawberries is their aroma. According to the expert, a tasty berry has a very pleasant smell. The aroma indicates its freshness and ripeness. Even if the strawberries were picked not fully ripe, proper storage can preserve their taste qualities. Modern large farms use cooling and proper storage technologies, which allow the berries to stay fresh for a long time. Additionally, there are new early varieties of strawberries that can last a long time without losing taste and aroma.

      Pay attention to the strawberry's stem. It should not be yellow, dry, or wilted. This indicates that the berry has been stored improperly or for too long. Bruised seeds also indicate that the strawberry has been sitting for a noticeable time, warns the dietitian. Fresh strawberries have a shiny surface and a firm texture. The berries should be uniformly bright red or dark red, depending on the variety. White and green spots on strawberries may indicate their immaturity.

      Sometimes sellers try to explain their appearance by saying that it is a variety where the inside of the berry is white. While such varieties do exist, such as pineapple strawberries, Elena Solomatina clarifies. However, if you see such spots, it is better to choose another berry. The berries should not have dark spots or blemishes. If they do, it may indicate the beginning of the rotting process. Fungal spores spread quickly to healthy berries, and the development of fungal diseases is just a matter of time.

      Another sign of spoilage is oily spots on the napkin after washing the berries. This may mean that the strawberries were treated with fungicides to extend their shelf life. Wet strawberries also spoil quickly. Usually, sellers lower the price to sell them faster. The same applies to cherries and other berries.

      Dry berries that have been stored next to wet and rotten ones are also better not to buy. A berry that is about to rot often starts to smell sour, has a wilted stem, and darkened seeds. Inside, it is already beginning to ferment, stops being firm, and becomes limp. However, if fungi and microorganisms are "eating" the strawberries, that’s not necessarily bad: it means the berry has few additives that keep it fresh for a long time.

      When choosing a place to buy strawberries, it is important to pay attention to the seller's reputation and the presence of certificates. Large sales points usually have certificates, which protects them from scandals and ensures they sell quality products, including strawberries, notes Elena Solomatina.

      It is better to avoid spontaneous sales points, especially those located along highways, and to buy berries in verified places. It is important to understand where the berries were grown, how they were harvested, and how they were stored. This directly affects the quality of the product. If there are violations, the berries may contain E. coli, listeria, or dysentery pathogens.

      It is advisable to buy strawberries from the same seller. If it is not a weekend market but a regular seller, they will offer fresh products and guide you on prices. You can rely on the reviews of local residents—they can tell you where to find tasty and quality strawberries. Certificates that you can request from the seller will help you learn about the country of origin and the safety of the products.

      The strawberry season in our latitudes begins in late May to early June. Before that, berries are brought from Morocco, Israel, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Egypt, where they ripen earlier. However, strawberries that take a long time to reach Russia lose their taste qualities and beneficial properties. Therefore, the doctor advises buying seasonal berries or growing them yourself. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain materials 18+