Does the Strawberry Ice Water Hack Really Work? Our Test Kitchen Experts Tried It (2024)

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It's amazing what a little ice water can do for fruits, veggies, and flowers. In a food prep hack, photos by Facebook user Brittany King showed how an ice bath can bring your mushy, bruised strawberries "back to life." The before and after images show the amazing transformation of formerly sad-looking strawberries appearing good as new.

But would they actually taste as good as new? We consulted the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen experts to find out whether this hack is worth the effort.

All you have to do is drop your "kind of sad" bruised strawberries into a bowl of ice water for approximately 20 minutes. According to our Test Kitchen's trial, the strawberries appear more vibrant in color than before. As for the texture, they were still soft. So while this trick might make your berry a little brighter, there's not much difference in the texture after sitting in water.

It won't hurt to give them a little more life, so go ahead and give this one a shot if your carton looks lackluster. Fresh strawberries are highly perishable, so don't try reviving moldy fruit using this strawberry hack. If they've got mold, they're too far gone. We didn't test other berries but suspect blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries would also likely benefit from this treatment.

Strawberry season is right around the corner. Use these tips for making the most of your strawberry haul.

1. When purchasing or picking berries, they should be firm but not crunchy. Unlike apples or bananas, strawberries don't ripen after they are harvested. Avoid bruised or shriveled berries or berries that look dull. Berries with a bright red surface will have maximum sweetness and flavor.
2. Store strawberries in the fridge's crisper drawer as soon as you get home and plan on consuming them within 3 to 4 days. Keep in the container they came in or a produce keeper ($23, Bed Bath & Beyond)
3. To help berries retain flavor, texture, and nutrients, avoid washing or removing their caps until ready for use.
4. Yes, you should always wash your fruit!
5. Strawberry flavor is at its best at room temperature. Remove the berries from the refrigerator an hour or two before serving.

Keep in mind that the shelf-life of your juicy berries depends on how ripe the fruit is when purchased or picked. Enjoy them asap for the best quality. If you don't think you'll be able to eat them before they go bad, put them to delicious use in a berry-filled sweet such as strawberry shortcakes or easy strawberry jam.