How to Keep Strawberries Fresh

What’s usually inside is out for all to see
I’m best when there aren’t white shoulders on me
Red with a green top means I’m fresh as can be
Do you know which fruit you see?
Of course, I’m a strawberry!

May is National Strawberry Month, but in my house we pretty much always keep fresh strawberries on hand. They’re my eldest son’s favorite fruit by far, with white nectarines a close second. And he’s not the only one! I’ll snack on strawberries, too, and Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries and slivered almonds is one of my favorite breakfasts.

This year, we’ve lucked into a plethora of strawberries because the California strawberry crop is setting records. It’s up 60% from 2025 and the berries taste juicy and sweet. Our buyers are having a field day (pun intended) adding strawberries to our fruit deliveries on the West Coast as the weather allows.

To help you enjoy them when they arrive, here are some of my favorite strawberry facts and tips.

Strawberry Fun Facts

Do you know what the first line in my poem means? It’s a reference to the fact that strawberries are the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside. The truth is, botanically speaking, these aren’t actually seeds at all—they’re achenes, which are tiny individual fruits that each contain a single microscopic seed inside. That means one strawberry is technically an aggregate of hundreds of fruits. The red flesh you eat is actually part of the strawberry flower… but now I’m getting technical.

How to Spot the Freshest Strawberries

I love to share this tip about strawberries. Most people look for color to tell if they’re ripe, but different strawberry varieties can be different shades of red (and different sizes). So size and shape aren’t necessarily the best indicators of taste. Instead, look at the leaves. You want a strawberry with bright green leaves that don’t look like they’re dry or browning. Then, look at the fruit itself. Does it look wet? You don’t want moisture on your strawberries, because they’re very delicate. Exposure to water after they’re ripe (even rain in the fields) can break them down faster. This is one reason why you should wait to wash your strawberries until right before you eat them.

How to Keep Strawberries Fresh in Storage

Storing your strawberries in the refrigerator will help them last longer. Ideally, you want to keep them in a breathable container like a clamshell, a plastic bag with the top open, or a jar with the lid off. I’ve found that strawberries left totally open to the air dry out faster, but sealing them too tightly locks in moisture and causes them to break down. You need to tuck them into the fridge just right to help them last.

Where to Buy Fresh Strawberries

If strawberries are in season near you, then you can probably find the freshest ones at your local farmers’ market. The FruitGuys can also deliver strawberries right to your office or home. Look for them in our mixed fruit boxes when they’re in season (we change up the fruits inside every week, and they vary from region to region). If you’re interested in regular fruit deliveries for your office, requesting a quote is an easy way to get started.

Strawberry Issues in Your Delivery? Let Us Know, and We’ll Make It Right

As I said, strawberries are extremely delicate. The same things that make them tricky to pick and store also make them tricky to ship. We do our best to send them in peak condition, but sometimes the temperature or humidity can work against us. If you’re ever unhappy with the quality of the fruit we deliver, please let customer service know so you can take advantage of our 100% satisfaction guarantee. We’ll replace the fruit or issue a credit immediately, no hassle!

I hope these tips help you enjoy this strawberry season. There’s something truly wonderful about a fruit that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.