I can imagine why Strawberries are the most popular type of berry in the world. Not only are they highly versatile (they can be used in jams, preserves, sauces or in cocktails), but they are really pretty too! The only drawback that I see in strawberries is their short shelf-life. However, fret no more, because I’ve found that there is a way to preserve this seasonal fruit – by freezing them. Here are a couple of tips for you on how you can freeze strawberries.

1.     How to freeze strawberries whole - Wash and pat dry the strawberries. Don’t soak them in water as this will result in a loss of flavor and nutrients. Make sure to get rid of any fruit that is discolored or damaged, cut off the leaves and the stems of the fruit. An easy technique I use is placing the strawberries on a baking sheet, not touching one another, and freezing them till the fruits are completely frozen. I do this so the strawberries won’t solidify collectively in a mass. Now, you can easily transfer the strawberries to plastic zip lock bags or airtight containers and store in the freezer where they will keep for up to a year. You can also slice or crush the strawberries, if you like.   

2.     How to freeze strawberries in sugar syrup – clean, sort and dry the strawberries, then cover the fruit with sugar syrup. After trying many variations, I’ve found that boiling 1 part sugar to 4 parts water makes the perfect syrup. You can make strawberries last for up to 6 months this way.

 3.     How to Freeze Strawberries with Dry Sugar Pack – Sprinkle the strawberries with superfine sugar, using about 3/4 cup sugar per quart of berries. The strawberries will keep for up to 6 months.

 By covering the fruit with a mixture of one quart of water with 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice you help the strawberries retain some of their fresh red color. Lastly, don’t forget to date your frozen strawberry containers so that you know how long they will last. I love using frozen strawberries in fruit salads, dessert sauces, sorbets, ice cream pulps, preserves, jams, smoothies, or in baked goods. So now that you know the secret to preserving strawberries, go ahead, freeze a couple of them so that you can enjoy them not just in summer, but all through the year!