Of course, the best way to enjoy berries is straight off the plant, when the sweet and often puckery-sour fruit is sun-drenched and luscious! But berries are also delicious served with just a dollop of cream or in pies, tarts, muffins, cobblers, ice cream, jams and jellies.

Buying and Storing

Look for plump, firm, fragrant berries with full and even colors. Avoid any that are shriveled, bruised or moldy, and check the carton for moisture, a sign that the fruit may be overripe. The best places to find fresh berries are farmers’ markets and pick-your-own farms—locally grown fruit is more likely to be the sweetest and juiciest. If refrigerated, most berries stay fresh for up to three days. To store, discard any moldy or mushy berries, then put the rest in a shallow dish lined with paper towels. Keep soft berries (like raspberries) on one layer to prevent crushing. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Preparing

Some people don’t wash berries because they’re so fragile that the fruit often falls apart under the pressure of water and loses its perfume. If you do want to wash berries, do it right before eating. Rinse under a light spray, then roll them gently onto a couple of layers of paper towels to absorb the excess liquid. Always wash strawberries before you remove their stems, to avoid trapping water inside the cavity.

Berry Good for You!

Berries generously supply vitamin C and varying amounts of iron, potassium, folic acid, vitamin A and fiber. They’re low in calories—about 80 per cup. Blackberries are thought to help heal mouth and throat infections, raspberries work as a diuretic and blueberries are said to fight harmful bacteria in the intestines and urinary tract.

Discover the true taste of summer with these berry recipes:

• Star Berry Cake
• Berries and Cream Tarts
• Mixed Berry Tart
• Blueberry Orange Muffins
• Raspberry Fool
• Elegant Fruit Salad
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