Why Do My Berries Get Moldy So Fast (And How To Fix)

The riper the berry, the sweeter the juice. That is, of course, until the berries start growing mold. If you have ever bought a container of berries only to find they are covered in mold when you reach for them in your fridge, you aren’t alone. Berries have fragile skins and often a short shelf-life in the fridge. There are, however, some great ways to keep your berries fresh longer and free of mold.

To help prevent your berries from growing mold, wash them in a bath of three parts water and one part vinegar. Also, ensure you aren’t buying berries that are too ripe or already showing signs of mold. Keep them away from heat and freezing temperatures. You must keep them dry, and therefore it’s best to wash them only when you plan to eat them.

Berries are delicious for all meal periods. They are also some of the healthiest fruits on the planet, often filled with vitamins and antioxidants. But they aren’t cheap. If you are sick of throwing away expensive berries because they have grown mold and turned to mush in what feels like a matter of hours, then keep reading. Below is a list of reasons why berries go bad quickly as well as ways to keep them fresh and free of mold.

Five Reasons Why Your Berries Are Getting Moldy So Fast

1. You Are Buying Them Too Ripe

One of the most common reasons why berries get moldy so quickly is because you are buying them late in their maturation process. If berries are already very ripe and juicy, they only have a few days before they start to break down.

This is a popular problem because many people purchase berries when they are on sale. It makes sense, as fresh berries can be pricey. Keep in mind, however, that when you see big discounts on your favorite berries, there is a good chance they are priced to sell fast. If you buy ripe berries, make sure you enjoy them right away. Otherwise, your sweet berries can turn into a moldy mess in what can seem like an instant.

2. You Rinse Them Too Soon

Berries are, for the most part, some of the most delicate fruit you can buy. They have very sensitive and receptive skin, and they can absorb moisture through the surface. If you expose ripe berries to moisture, it can seep into the berry, causing it to soften, break down, and get moldy.

Most berries have mold spores on them already. If you add moisture by washing them, this gives the mold a chance to grow quickly. It can also cause your berries to turn to mush, especially if you don’t completely dry them after rinsing.

3. You Aren’t Looking At Them Before Purchasing Them

If you find your berries sometimes get moldy within one or two days of purchasing them, there’s a good chance you bought berries that were already moldy. Sometimes berries on the bottom of a container are growing mold, while the ones more clearly visible seem fine.

If you aren’t looking carefully at your produce, especially something as fragile as berries, then you run the risk of paying for a product that has already started to spoil.

4. They Are Being Stored At The Wrong Temperature

Another reason berries grow mold and go bad quickly is they are not being stored at the right temperature. Berries have a Goldilocks complex, in that they don’t like temperatures that are too warm, or too cold — they like things just right. 

If berries are exposed to freezing temperatures, the liquid expands, and when they come back to room temperature, they turn to mush. If the berries are left on the counter for too long, and not properly refrigerated, then this can significantly increase the speed of mold growth. 

5. They Aren’t In A Quality Storage Container

One last reason why your berries are getting moldy fast can have to do with the container. Sometimes berries are sold in flimsy containers, especially if you get them at a farmer’s market. These containers may be environmentally friendly, but they don’t keep your berries safe from moisture and mold spores. If your moldy berries are usually in cheap and unprotected containers, then the vessel may be the problem.

Seven Ways To Help Keep Your Berries Fresher For Longer

1. Give Them A Vinegar Bath

One of the best ways to prevent your berries from getting moldy quickly is to give them a vinegar bath. Use distilled vinegar and water to thoroughly rinse your berries.

Vinegar won’t harm your berries, but this essential pantry item is great at killing mold spores. 

Use a ratio of three cups of water to one cup of white vinegar for your berries. White vinegar is ideal because it’s powerful but it doesn't have a distinct flavor or color. Remember to thoroughly dry your berries before returning them to their container.

2. Keep Them Dry

Since berries turn to mush and grow mold faster when they are wet, it’s best to keep them as dry as possible. There are several ways to keep your berries dry. For one, if you do need to wash them, pat them dry with a paper towel, don’t let them drip or air dry.

Furthermore, lining the bottom of the container with a paper towel will help keep the moisture off the skin. Storing them in an airtight plastic or glass tupperware is another great way to protect them and keep them dry.

3. Don’t Let Them Freeze

Freezing berries is fine if you plan to use them for smoothies. If, however, you unintentionally freeze your berries by putting them in a spot in the fridge that freezes your food, that’s a different story. Find a warmer spot in your fridge for your berries. This is usually your crisper or vegetable drawer. This will keep your berries at the ideal temperature. 

4. Wash When You Are About To Eat Them, Not Sooner

Since washing your berries will make them go bad quicker, you should only wash them when you are ready to eat them. Don’t make a habit of washing your berries as soon as you get home from the grocery store. 

You also don’t need to wash them all at once if you aren’t planning on using them all at once. Instead, remove the berries you want to eat and wash them right before eating them.

5. Discard Any Moldy Berries Right Away

While you shouldn’t wash your berries as soon as you get in from the market, you should definitely inspect them. Open your berry container and give them a closer look when you get home. If you see any berries growing even a tiny bit of mold, dispose of the moldy ones right away.

One moldy berry can quickly spread mold to all the other berries in just a few days, so swift removal is crucial.

6. Don’t Leave Them In The Heat For Long

Remember that berries can be fussy about temperature. Therefore, don’t leave them out at room temperature. Furthermore, never leave them in the heat for long. This means you shouldn’t leave them in a hot motor vehicle. If possible, place them in a cooler bag when you depart from a market, so they don’t stay at a high temperature for long.

7. Inspect Your Berries Carefully Before Buying Them

Lastly, when you purchase berries, you should always give them a thorough inspection in the store before selecting the perfect quart or pint. Don’t rush the process. Look not only at the berries on top, but turn the container upside down and inspect the berries on the bottom as well. If any are moldy or so ripe they are turning to juice, opt for a different container.

Final Notes On Keeping Berries Fresher For Longer

If you want your berries to last longer, then aim to keep them dry. If your berries are getting prematurely moldy, put them in a bath with one part white vinegar and three parts water to kill the mold. Don’t leave berries out in hot weather, and make sure you inspect them thoroughly before you select the perfect container. Remember that some berry containers are flimsy, and berries prefer a dry and airtight vessel to stay fresh and safe from bacteria.

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