Everyone loves strawberries. And when they are fresh, the delicious fruits can be a real temptation for young and old. But what if you discover mold on strawberries? What are the causes and what to do if your strawberries are moldy? Can you eat strawberries despite the mold or throw them all away? And what measures do you take to prevent mold formation? Everything you need to know about this issue can be found in this post!
Well, it can be unpleasant if you discover mold on food. If you find white, fluffy spots similar to cotton candy on your berries, then it is mold. This particular type of mold on food is often found on fruit. Moldy strawberries are usually mushy and smell bad.
What causes mold growth?
Mold is actually a process that causes food to break down. The process is influenced by humidity and ambient temperature. Strawberries are soft fruits and because their shells are easily broken, they are susceptible to mold growth. If the mold spores are already in the fruit when you buy it, they just need a little time to start growing and spoil your fruit. Even if the fruits are overripe, they aresusceptible to mold formation.
Gray mold on strawberries is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. This fungal disease can greatly reduce fruit yield and is one of the most damaging strawberry diseases. Botrytis mainly develops in persistently cool, damp weather during flowering and shortly before harvest.
Is mold on strawberries dangerous?
How dangerous is mold on strawberries? It is known that mold can contain toxins that can be harmful to your health and moldy fruits can also contain bacteria. If strawberries have been infected with mold pores and are not placed in the refrigerator, they can become moldy within one to days. And if stored in the refrigerator, it can take five to seven days for them to spoil.
Can mold strawberries be eaten?
You may be wondering if you can cut away mold on strawberries and still eat the remaining fruit? Usually canthe affected areasCut off and eat the healthy parts, but some mold spores may remain invisible in the fruit because it is a microscopic fungus. Therefore, it would be advisable that you throw away the spoiled fruits. And people with a weakened immune system, e.g. B. Older or sick people should be particularly careful.
If there is mold on strawberries, should you throw them all away?
Don't throw away the whole pack of strawberries if some fruits become moldy. Only throw the berries that have touched the moldy berry. And you can enjoy all the berries that look fresh and healthy.
Can you wash mold from berries?
Theoretically, you can wash mold off strawberries if it is only visible on the surface. However, it is important to note that the mold may have already penetrated the fruit even if you cannot see it. Therefore, it would be advisable to throw away the moldy fruits and get fresh fruits.
How do you prevent mold from forming on fruit?
You should keep your strawberries fresh if you want to avoid mold growth. Therefore, you must store your fruit correctly so that your strawberries stay fresh for as long as possible and do not become moldy. Follow these steps:
- First wash the strawberries. If possible, use a solution of white vinegar and water, which kills the mold spores.
- In a large bowl, add a quantity of white vinegar and cold water in a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar.
- Then carefully add the strawberries and let them stand for a few minutes. Then stir them and put them in a colander.
- Rinse under fresh water and drain off excess moisture.
- To dry the fruit properly, place it on a clean kitchen roll.
- Once the berries are dry, you need to put them in a container for the refrigerator. Note that the airflow over the fruit helps it stay fresh longer.
Be aware that there are also spores in your refrigeratorof moldy foodcan accumulate. How do you avoid this? To keep your food as fresh as possible, you should clean the refrigerator every few months. Use a mixture of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 liter water.
What happens if you eat moldy food?
It may happen that you accidentally eat moldy food. What to do? First of all: Don't panic - nothing will probably happen to you. Make sure you don't have any symptoms for the rest of the day. Most likely you will be fine.
In some cases, the mold can cause certain health problems, including symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, high fever or diarrhea. In this case, you should consult a doctor immediately. Some allergic reactions may also be delayed. That depends on what type of mold it is.
