The Cool Down
Woman shares simple hack to keep fruit fresh for weeks: 'Stop throwing money in…
This berry storage hack enables you to save money by not tossing out fruit that goes bad before you have a chance to eat it.
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Extend Your Produce Life: Simple Steps to Keep Berries and Grapes Fresh for Weeks
Sustainable Living: Expert Shares Proven Methods for Extending Produce Shelf Life. A popular online creator, Maria Watkins, known as "livingplanetfriendly," recently demonstrated effective techniques for washing and storing fresh produce, aiming to significantly reduce food waste in households. The video, uploaded on July 3, 2025, showcases a detailed process for handling delicate fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and grapes. Watkins begins by washing a variety of produce, including bell peppers, oranges, and carrots, in a sink filled with water. She then meticulously cleans berries and grapes in a five-minute vinegar bath, a method she claims helps preserve freshness for weeks. "If I get fresh berries, I can get these to last for weeks," Watkins stated, emphasizing the longevity achieved through her technique. Following the vinegar bath, strawberries and blueberries are carefully patted dry with Swedish dishcloths and transferred to glass jars. Watkins advises using cut-up dishcloths inside the jars to absorb excess moisture, a critical step for preventing spoilage. For raspberries, she stresses the importance of extreme gentleness during drying and sorting, recommending that any damaged berries be consumed immediately rather than stored, as they can accelerate the spoilage of others. Grapes are also removed from their stems, washed, dried, and stored in glass containers with dishcloths. Watkins highlighted the versatility of this storage method, noting, "This storage method actually works really well for pretty much any berry." She also mentioned using white dishcloths for food storage and blue ones for cleaning, underscoring her commitment to organized and sustainable practices. The video provides valuable insights for consumers looking to minimize food waste and optimize their grocery budgets.
