If you want to freeze strawberries for smoothies, you must first clean them properly. Rinse them thoroughly under running water. Do not soak them, as this will ruin their natural flavor. Cut the stems off the strawberries, and slice them into pieces before freezing. To avoid sticking together, flash freezes them individually. If you can’t find flash frozen strawberries, you can purchase them in the store. You can also use frozen strawberries in smoothies and other desserts.
How to Freeze Strawberries for Smoothies?
It’s simple to freeze strawberries, and the procedure is the same whether you’re storing a few berries or several baskets. Although entire strawberries can be frozen with their tops still on (did you know that the tops are edible? ), I find that they are too large to blend well and must be thawed before being cut into smaller pieces for jam or baked items. Instead, it is preferable first to chop the berries into pieces and remove the tops. You can finally use these strawberries for your favorite smoothies.
- Removing the tops, cutting the berries, freezing them in a single layer, and storing them in an airtight container may all be done in four simple steps.
- Hull the strawberries or slice the tops off to remove them.
- Chop the strawberries: How you do so is entirely up to you. Medium-sized strawberries can be cut into slices or cubes, although I usually quarter them. Consider how you will utilize them and make cuts accordingly. If your favorite muffin recipe, for instance, asks for sliced strawberries, use that instead!
- Strawberry slices can be frozen in a single layer if spread out on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. The strawberries should not be stacked or tightly packed because you want each piece to freeze separately. Place the tray in the freezer and let it stay there until the strawberries are completely frozen.
- Transfer to freezer bags: For long-term storage, transfer the frozen strawberries to freezer bags. Since each piece was individually frozen, they won’t clump together, allowing you to remove only the amount you need.
- To prevent freezer burn on the remaining strawberries, it is preferable to utilize frozen strawberries within a few months and make sure to push any air out of the bag after removing any.
What is the Strawberry Smoothie Recipe?
- Two hundred grams of fresh strawberries must be rinsed, hulled, and chopped beforehand. This amount of chopped strawberries equates to 1.25 cups. If you want to make a thicker strawberry smoothie, you can also use frozen strawberries.
- Strawberries, either fresh or frozen, should be added to a blender.
- Next, chop and include one medium-sized banana.
- Add one-half cup of light coconut milk (not the thick cream). Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of creamy coconut milk to a smoothie to make it more comprehensive.
- If you’d like, you can also include a sweetener, such as raw sugar, palm sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.
- With the jar lid on, mix the contents until they are smooth and creamy. Add a small amount of coconut milk and blend the smoothie once more if it’s too thick.
Serving
Pour the strawberry smoothie into two glasses and serve right immediately. I advise adding some strawberries cut into slices, chopped almonds, or dried fruits to the glasses as a garnish.
For the most delicate flavor and taste, I advise drinking the newly mixed smoothie as soon as it is created.
Since the recipe calls for coconut milk, it will go wrong if it is stored at room temperature for a few hours in a warm environment, and in the refrigerator, it may go rotten.
How to Keep Strawberries Fresh?
Strawberries must be placed in the refrigerator if you want to increase their shelf life. The following instructions will show you how to store them in an airtight container in a single layer for the best results.
- Only wash strawberries right before eating them. When strawberries are cleaned, they are instantly exposed to moisture, and moisture on fresh fruit causes mold to grow. Strawberries should not be washed before storing them and should only be washed before consumption.
- Keep the berries whole. Strawberry parts that have been chopped up will not keep as long as whole strawberries. Please keep the entire basket in the same condition you found at the supermarket or farmers’ market, including the green-leaf tops.
- Use paper towels to line a plastic or glass container. These paper towels will soak moisture and prevent mold growth on your berries.
- Put the strawberries inside the container in a single layer. It is simpler to fit all of your strawberries into a single container. Don’t be afraid to utilize more than one container if you require them to keep that single layer. Strawberries can, of course, be stacked on top of one another (just as they would be in their original container), but doing so allows mold to spread from fruit to berry quickly. Think about layering a paper towel to reduce moisture and contact between layers.
- Refrigerate the container after completely sealing it. Strawberries that are dry and sealed should be kept in the fridge for at least seven days. But you should consume them sooner if you want the freshest flavor.
What is the Vinegar Bath When it Comes to Storing Strawberries?
Regarding This Method: Berries that have just been picked naturally have mold spores on them, which is what eventually causes them to deteriorate. These spores are eliminated by rinsing strawberries in vinegar, which prevents the berries from being harmed.
How to Do It: Mix two cups of water with one cup of white vinegar to use this technique. Whole strawberries should be added to the mixture and gently stirred for about a minute. Next, clean water should be used to rinse the berries (this mini colander is perfect for washing berries). Place the strawberries on a tray covered with a dish towel and let them air dry. Put them back in the original container in the refrigerator once they are scorched.
Did it succeed? We weren’t expecting the results because other publications extol the virtues of this storage strategy. To be specific, we even tested the procedure twice. The strawberries had withered leaves and soft patches and appeared ragged and black. The berries didn’t look good, but there was no trace of mold.
Ignore it
When strawberries are washed, water is absorbed, hastening the deterioration process. The strawberries maintained the moisture they had absorbed even after being spread out to dry, which reduced their freshness. It’s better to hold off on washing strawberries until you’re about to use them in a recipe.
What are the Benefits of Strawberries for Health?
The risk of several chronic diseases is lowered by eating strawberries.
- Strawberries may help prevent cancer, reduce blood sugar levels, and improve heart health.
- Heart health The leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease.
- Berries, or berry anthocyanins, have been linked in studies to better heart health.
- In an extensive observational study, including thousands of people, berry eating is linked to a decreased risk of heart-related fatalities.
- According to research in middle-aged persons with established risk factors for heart disease, berries may enhance HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood platelet function.
Strawberry Uses Include
- Enhance blood antioxidant levels
- Lowering oxidative stress,
- Decreasing inflammation,
- Enhancing vascular function
- Enhance the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower your blood lipid profile.
Much research has been done on the impact of freeze-dried strawberry supplements on type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, mainly in overweight or obese people.
Participants saw a marked reduction in several essential risk variables, such as LDL (bad) cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and oxidized LDL particles, after taking supplements for 4–12 weeks.
Blood Sugar Control
Your body converts carbohydrates into simple sugars during digestion, then releases these sugars into your bloodstream.
Your body subsequently releases insulin, instructing your cells to take the sugar from your bloodstream and use it as fuel or storage.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are all linked to unbalanced blood sugar management and high-sugar diets.
Comparatively to a carb-rich meal without strawberries, strawberries appear to slow down the digestion of glucose and lessen increases in glucose and insulin after a meal high in carbohydrates.
To avoid metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, strawberries may be beneficial.
Prevention of Cancer
Uncontrolled cell development is a hallmark of the condition known as cancer.
Oxidative stress and persistent inflammation are frequently connected to the development and progression of cancer.
Several studies indicate that berries’ capacity to combat oxidative stress and inflammation may help them prevent various cancers.
It has been demonstrated that strawberries can prevent the growth of tumors in both human liver cancer cells and animals with mouth cancer.
Ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which have been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, maybe the primary agents responsible for strawberries’ preventive properties.
Before drawing any firm conclusions, the further human study is required to advance our understanding of how strawberries affect cancer.
Reference: Potential Impact of Strawberries on Human Health
What are the Adverse Outcomes of Consuming Strawberries?
Although allergies are not prevalent, strawberries are typically well tolerated, especially in young children.
People sensitive to birch pollen or apples may get symptoms from strawberries due to a protein in them, a condition known as pollen-food allergy.
The common symptoms include mouth itching or tingling, hives, headaches, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat, and breathing difficulties in severe cases.
The anthocyanins in strawberries are thought to be connected to the allergen-causing protein. Those who would otherwise be allergic typically tolerate colorless, white strawberries well.
Also, strawberries contain goitrogens that may interfere with the thyroid’s ability to operate in those with thyroid issues.
What are the Nutritional Facts About Strawberry?
91% of strawberries are made up of water and carbs (7.7 percent ). They only have trace amounts of protein (0.3%) and fat (0.7 percent ).
3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw strawberries contain the following nutrients:
- 32 calories
- Water makes up 91%.
- 0.7 grams of protein
- 7.7 grams of carbs
- 4.9 grams of sugar
- 2 grams of fiber
- 0.3 grams of fat
Carbs
Fresh strawberries have a very high water content, resulting in a very low overall carbohydrate load of fewer than 8 grams per 3.5 ounces (100 grams).
Less than 6 grams of net digestible carbohydrates are in the same serving size.
These berries have a fair amount of fiber and simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose that make up most of their carbohydrates.
The glycemic index (GI) of strawberries is 40, which is a comparatively low value.
As a result, strawberries are considered safe for those with diabetes and shouldn’t cause significant blood sugar rises.
Fiber
Strawberries’ carbohydrate content is made up of fiber, about 26%.
3.5 ounces (100 grams) of strawberries contain 2 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Dietary fibers are crucial for feeding your gut’s beneficial microorganisms and promoting digestive health. They aid in illness prevention and help people lose weight.
Conclusion
Pre-frozen strawberries will come in handy when you’re ready to make a smoothie. They will be prepared to go within an hour or eight hours and can be easily measured. Thawing strawberries will allow them to release their juice but will be less firm than fresh ones. The freezing process expands the water inside them and breaks down the cell structure. This will result in slightly mushier strawberries, but they’re still delicious!
The best way to use pre-frozen strawberries for smoothies is to freeze them whole. You can also use sliced or halved strawberries. Choosing berries by size makes blending more accessible, but you might prefer a more uniform size. When freezing, you can make the smoothies ahead of time, but be sure to freeze them for at least 24 hours. Store your frozen berries in freezer bags. You can label them with the contents and the date they were frozen.
