Never Buy Fresh Raspberries if You See This Red Flag, According to Two Food Scientists

If I had to pick a favorite fruit, raspberries would be at the top of my list. While their price has curbed my berry habit a bit, lately I've fully accepted that part of my weekly food budget is destined for the fruit.

But as quickly as I typically eat them, it still seems like some packages of berries spoil way faster than I'd expect—they've barely been in my fridge before I have to throw them out. In an effort to find the freshest berries possible, I spoke to two food scientists to learn about the raspberry red flags to watch out for.

Moisture Is the Enemy

The biggest culprit behind fast-spoiling berries? Moisture. "Berries that have visible damage, have been 'smooshed' or aren't keeping their shape, or have a lot of moisture in the package, either from the berries themselves or condensation in the package, will spoil much faster than intact, dry berries," says Laurel L. Dunn, PhD , associate professor and extension coordinator in the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of Georgia.

An obvious tell is if the bottom of the container is damp and leaking. If red juice is running through the vents of the plastic clamshell, the berries are clearly damaged (though not necessarily spoiled yet). Even if the container isn't leaking, but you still see bruised berries, the same rule applies. "Excess moisture and juice are warning signs because they create conditions that favor further deterioration," explains Zachary Cartwright, PhD , lead food scientist at AQUALAB (by Addium).

Berries naturally have thin skin and a high water content, and their thin skin makes them prone to damage. "Once raspberries begin breaking down, their structure becomes softer and more susceptible to additional physical damage and microbial spoilage," Cartwright says. "A wet or leaking container can therefore indicate that the berries have already experienced enough damage that their remaining shelf life may be limited."

The best thing you can do is avoid packages with signs of moisture. "A good package of fresh raspberries should include firm, bright red berries with few blemishes," says Dunn. "I look at the bottom of the package to make sure the lowest layer of berries aren't damaged by the weight of the berries on top, since damage on these could indicate the berries aren't firm and will likely mold faster than normal."

This applies even if you see only one or two crushed berries. "A few damaged berries can quickly become a larger quality problem because juice from crushed fruit can contact otherwise healthy berries," Cartwright notes. When you get home from the store, don't forget to put them in your refrigerator as soon as possible.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes