How to pick strawberries

4 min read

The first field of the year almost everywhere, and the one people most often pick underripe.

What to look for

1
Red all the way to the shoulder, where the stem meets the fruit. A white or pale green shoulder means it stays sour, because strawberries do not sweeten once picked
2
Pinch through the stem about half an inch above the berry rather than pulling, which tears the crown and shortens the plant
3
Leave the green cap on. A capped berry keeps for days, a hulled one weeps within hours
4
Lift the leaves and look underneath, where the ripest fruit hides from birds and from everyone who came before you
5
Do not stack more than about four inches deep in the container, or the weight bruises the bottom layer before you reach the car

Seasons are short and local. See which pick-your-own farms have strawberries on right now.