With fresh berries just starting to hit farmers markets, a reader sent this tip for consumers wishing to keep their fruit fresher while being stored.
When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider probably work best) and ten parts water.
Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around.
Drain, rinse if you want (though the mixture is so diluted you’ll probably find you can’t taste the vinegar) and pop in the fridge.
The vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit. Raspberries will last a week or more, strawberries will last up to two weeks without getting moldy and soft.