Kitchen: If you want to keep your strawberries fresher for longer, forget the fridge or the fruit basket.

Strawberries are very fragile fruits. Their thin skin and high water content make them vulnerable to mold and bacteria. Once one strawberry begins to rot, it can contaminate all the others. As a result, if left at room temperature or in a sealed, humid container, they won't last more than two days.

To prevent your strawberries from going moldy quickly, start by washing them. Don't rinse them, don't run them under water, no. Wash them. With white vinegar. To do this, mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water in a large bowl. This bath will eliminate mold spores and bacteria present on the surface of the fruit. Submerge the strawberries in the mixture and let them soak for no more than 5 minutes. No longer, or they risk becoming waterlogged. Then drain the strawberries and rinse them under cold water to remove all traces of vinegar. Spread the fruit on a clean cloth or paper towel. Gently pat them dry to dry them as much as possible. Humidity is the number one enemy of strawberries.

Store your strawberries in a suitable container

Neither too much water nor too little, neither too much air nor too little... strawberries are fragile and must be stored carefully. To do this, line the bottom of a box with absorbent paper. Place the strawberries on it without crowding them, then add another sheet of paper on top. Close the box without making it completely airtight: air must circulate slightly to avoid condensation.

But where should you put the box next? Contrary to popular belief, the refrigerator isn't always the best place to store strawberries. In fact, its cold, humid air promotes condensation and softens the fruit.

The best way to keep your strawberries fresher for longer is to store them in a cool, dry place. If you have a cellar, a cool pantry, or a temperate garage, place your container there. The ideal temperature for storing strawberries is around 10 to 12°C, away from heat, direct light, and humidity.

If you have no other choice but to store in the fridge, use the vegetable drawer, which is as dry as possible, and keep a close eye on your fruit. Remember to regularly change the paper towel if it becomes damp.

Wash strawberries before storing (unless using the vinegar method). If you're not eating them right away, avoid getting them wet.

Trim the stems ahead of time. Removing the small green stem opens a door to air and moisture. Store them whole until ready to eat.

Store them in their original plastic tray, which is often poorly ventilated and promotes condensation.

Leave a damaged strawberry with the others. As soon as a strawberry shows signs of mold or softening, remove it immediately.

With this method, your strawberries can last up to 7 days, or even a little longer, without losing their taste or texture.

Yes, absolutely. It's not as tasty as fresh, but it's perfect for smoothies or jams.

To freeze them in the best conditions, wash and dry the strawberries.

Trim them.

Place them on a baking sheet, without them touching.

Freeze them this way for the first time.

Once hard, transfer them to a freezer bag. They won't stick together.