Aren’t summer berries the best? But they’re gone before you know it. Here are two easy ways to make your delicious berries last longer…

Try this berry bath: The bacteria on all kinds of berries can cause them to rot rather quickly.

As soon as you get your berries home, bathe them in a bowl of three parts water to one part white vinegar. After about 30 seconds, remove the berries from their bath, gently dry them (a quick spin in a salad spinner lined with paper towels works well) and refrigerate them. The vinegar mixture will kill off the bacteria and give you a few more days (sometimes a week or so more) to enjoy them. No need to rinse them again before eating—there is no hint of vinegar taste whatsoever.

Easy freezing: Here’s how to prevent the frozen berries from squishing and sticking together. Gently rinse and let the berries dry. Spread them single layer on an ungreased cookie sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze the berries for about 20 minutes, until they’re solid. Transfer them to a plastic freezer bag, and seal it closed with as little air in it as possible. Label the bag, and they’ll keep for several months (if you can keep from eating them sooner!).

Thanks to TheKitchn.com and Lifehacker.com for help with this tip.

Related Articles