Experts talked about the rules for choosing strawberries in the spring

On the eve of the spring and summer season, the demand for fresh berries is traditionally growing, but imported products still prevail on the shelves. Roman Kharisov, co-founder of Citiferma LLC, and Yaroslav Abramov, Key Account Manager at Grodan, told Izvestia on March 27 how to choose strawberries in the off-season and what to look for when buying.

Experts note that the natural berry season falls in late spring and mid-summer, while the rest of the time, imported berries mostly arrive in stores.

When choosing strawberries, it is important to evaluate their appearance first.

"The most common varieties are characterized by a red shade — from light to burgundy. Good strawberries should have a uniform color with a glossy surface. White or green spots indicate immaturity, while dents and dark spots indicate spoilage and improper storage. A small or medium size of berries is considered the most optimal: it is these strawberries that are usually the most fragrant and sweet. Large fruits, although they look attractive, often have a more watery flesh and a less saturated taste," the experts noted.

The fragrance is equally important. Fresh strawberries have a pleasant sweet smell: in chilled berries it is softer, and at room temperature it becomes more pronounced. The lack of fragrance may indicate immaturity or prolonged storage, and a chemical odor may indicate the possible use of preservatives.

It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the sepals. In fresh strawberries, they are bright green and elastic, while the dry and yellowed leaves indicate that the berries were harvested a long time ago. Tight attachment of the peduncle is also considered a sign of freshness.

"In the off-season, strawberries are mainly supplied from abroad, but local products can also be found on the shelves — the berries are grown in greenhouses on stone wool substrates. This method creates optimal conditions for growth and protects plants from pests and diseases, making strawberries juicy and tasty," Abramov emphasized.

Experts recommend storing berries in the refrigerator at a temperature of +1 to +5 degrees in dry form and washing them only before use to avoid premature spoilage.

On March 15, the journal Medical Xpress reported that dark sweet cherries can slow down the growth of an aggressive form of breast cancer due to natural compounds — anthocyanins. In experiments on mice, these substances slowed down the development of tumors and reduced the spread of cancer cells to other organs.

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