MATERIALS
Strawberries (about the same size and degree of ripeness)
Container strawberries came in
Plastic container without lid
Plastic container with lid
Ziploc – quart storage bag that seals
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that slides
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that seals
Ziploc – pint freezer bag that seals
Food City Simply Done – Snack bag that seals
PURPOSE
After seeing the strawberries in class, we discussed how fruit can ruin very fast. We wondered if the type of the container the fruit were stored in could make a difference in keeping them fresh longer. We decided to use strawberries, due to the time allowed, to check
to see if different containers would make the fruit stay fresh longer than the other containers.
HYPOTHESIS
We believe that strawberries would last longer if they were stored in a container that had a lid.
PROCEDURE
We purchased some strawberries and put them in different containers, at room temperature. We did not wash the strawberries, or remove their stems. The containers we put them in were:
Container strawberries came in
Plastic container without lid
Plastic container with lid
Ziploc – quart storage bag that seals
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that slides
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that seals
Ziploc – pint freezer bag that seals
Simply Done – snack bag that seals
The strawberries were about the same size and the same degree of ripeness. We chose to not put them in the refrigerator due to the time allowed for our investigation.
After putting one strawberry in the different containers, the containers were placed in the same amount of light. Each day after placing the strawberries in the containers, they were checked at the same time.
RESULTS
We watched the strawberries in the different containers for four days and took pictures. We discovered that containers do make a difference in keeping the strawberries fresh.
The strawberry that stayed freshest longest was stored in the original container. The second best container was the Ziploc pint freezer bag. The third best container was the open container.
After 4 days, the following was observed:
Container strawberries came in – moderate mold
Ziploc – pint freezer bag that seals – moderate mold
Plastic container without lid – moderate mold,
shriveled
Plastic container with lid – covered with mold
Food City Simply Done Snack bag that seals –
covered with mold
Ziploc – quart storage bag that seals – heavy mold
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that slides – heavy mold
Ziploc – quart freezer bag that seals - disintegrated
After discussing the findings, we concluded the reason the original container was the best was because it had holes in the container which let moisture evaporate. The other containers, except the open container, were all sealed up and therefore any moisture stayed in the container. The open container did not get as moldy as the closed containers, but the strawberry dried out faster than ones in the closed containers.
If we had more time we could do more tests with the strawberries. One different way would be to use the same containers, but put them in the refrigerator. Then check to see if the results were the same.
Another way to test the containers, would be to choose a different fruit and test it in the same containers. Then check to see if the results were the same.
CONCLUSION
Our hypothesis that the strawberries would last longer in the closed container with a lid was wrong. After four days, the strawberry in this container was covered with mold.
The strawberry that stayed freshest longest was stored in the original container. The second best container was the Ziploc pint freezer bag. The third best container was the open container.
Knowing and using the container that keeps the strawberries the freshest will save money by not having to throw bad strawberries away.
RESEARCH
In researching strawberries, we learned that strawberries are not true berries. True berries, blueberries, cranberries, etc. have seeds within their fleshy tissue. Strawberries, on the other hand, have their fleshly tissue covered with dry, yellow seeds.
The two main enemies of strawberries and berries are mold and moisture.
Also, after researching how to store fresh strawberries, a vinegar bath was mentioned on Shari’s Berries Blog. (http://www.berries.com/blog/how-to-store-strawberries) I have received in the mail strawberries from Shari’s Berries, and I had wondered how they were kept fresh. The vinegar bath destroys the harmful bacteria. It stated that by giving the strawberries a vinegar bath, the fruit could stay fresh for up to two weeks. This could be another way to test the strawberries, and still use the same containers.
Here are the steps for the vinegar bath:
Step 1 – Fill a measuring cup with ¼ cup of vinegar and 1 ½ cup of water (you may need more depending on how many strawberries you plan to soak)
Step 2 – Place the vinegar/water solution into a bowl or glass container. Let the strawberries (the stems were not cut off) soak for about 5 minutes. (The solution should cover all of the strawberries.)
Step 3 –Place strawberries in a colander and rinse with water.
Step 4 – Place the strawberries on a paper towel and let them dry.
Step 5 – Line the container you plan to use for storage with a paper towel and place the strawberries inside.
Step 6 – Cover with the lid and label it with the date.
Step 7 – Put container in the refrigerator. The strawberries should last up to two weeks, and the will not taste like vinegar.
A vinegar bath was also mentioned as a way to kill mold and bacteria on strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries by Vanessa Greaves. (http://dish.allrecipes.com/how-to-keep-berries-fresh/)
Here are the steps for this vinegar bath:
Step 1 – Check the strawberries for any mold and throw them away. Then put 3 cups of cold water and 1 cup of white vinegar in a large bowl or salad spinner.
Step 2 – Immerse the strawberries in the solution and swish them around for about a minute.
Step 3 – Drain the strawberries and then rinse them in clean, cold water until any trace of the vinegar’s smell or taste is gone.
Step 4 – Spread out the rinsed strawberries on a clean cloth or paper towels, pat and roll lightly with towels to dry them well.
Step 5 – If the strawberries came in a ventilated plastic clamshell-type container, wash it with soap and hot water. Then rinse, dry, and line it with a dry paper towel. Place the clean, dry strawberries back in the clamshell and put in the refrigerator. (Make sure the ventilation holes in the top are uncovered so air can circulate in the package.) Change the paper towels if they get damp over time.
Step 5 – If the strawberries did not come in a ventilated plastic clamshell-type container, store the strawberries in a clean container lined with paper towels. Place the lid ajar so moisture can evaporate. Put in the refrigerator. Change the paper towels if they get damp over time.
Another way was mentioned on Shari’s Berries Blog to save strawberries for up to one week. (http://www.berries.com/blog/how-to-store-strawberries)
Here are the steps for one week:
Step 1 – Cut the stems off the strawberries. You do not wash them.
Step 2 – Line an airtight container with a paper towel and place the strawberries inside, be sure they are spread out.
Step 3 – Cover the container with a lid and label the container (with the date).
Step 4 – Place the container in the refrigerator.
The next time I buy strawberries, I am going to try the vinegar bath. If the strawberries do indeed last up to two weeks, that will be a money saver.
BY
Paige Mallicoat
Carolyn Murr
and
Angela Wood
REFERENCES
World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago, IL: World Book, Inc., 2005. Volume 18, page 923.
Websites:
How to Store Strawberries For Up To Two Weeks – Shari’s Berries Blog
(http://www.berries.com/blog/how-to-store-strawberries)
How to Keep Fresh Berries From Getting Moldy and Gross – Allrecipes…
(http://dish.allrecipes.com/how-to-keep-berries-fresh/)
By Vanessa Greaves (http://dish.allreceipes.com/author/vanessa-greaves/)
What Keeps
Strawberries
Freshest
RESULTS
After four days, the following was observed:
1. Container strawberries came in – moderate mold
2. Ziploc – pint freezer bag that seals – moderate
mold
3. Plastic container without lid – moderate mold,
shriveled
4. Plastic container with lid – covered with mold
5. Food City Simply Done Snack bag that seals –
covered with mold
6. Ziploc – quart storage bag that seals – heavy mold
7. Ziploc – quart freezer bag that slides – heavy
mold
8. Ziploc – quart freezer bag that seals –
disintegrated
DATA
After four days, the following was observed:
1. Container strawberries came in – moderate mold
2. Ziploc – pint freezer bag that seals – moderate
mold
3. Plastic container without lid – moderate mold,
shriveled
4. Plastic container with lid – covered with mold
5. Food City Simply Done Snack bag that seals –
covered with mold
6. Ziploc – quart storage bag that seals – heavy mold
7. Ziploc – quart freezer bag that slides – heavy
mold
8. Ziploc – quart freezer bag that seals –
disintegrated