Here’s an easy project. You can use your strawberry stems to make a gorgeous strawberry vinegar. I shared this on facebook yesterday, and it was so popular that I thought I should share it with you here, so it doesn’t get lost.
If you are enjoying a bunch of strawberries or making jam, etc., don’t just throw away the tops that you cut off! Collect them in a clean jar, then cover them with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Let them steep in the cupboard for about a week, and when you strain them out, you will have a gorgeous bottle of pink Strawberry Vinegar! It’s great for putting on salads, or adding to cocktails!
I made this last year, and it was really nice. I also did the same with cherry pits, which produced an even stronger flavor– so good! You can get this type of bottle here, and find similar (removable) labels for your bottles here.
I put my tops in with a half cup of sugar to a litre of water for a fermented version. I also use the must from a previous batch of home-made vinegar. Tastes nice on salads and the chickens love it. They would get apple cider vinegar, but I hadn’t got enough apples.
This is the source for the recipe I use https://hipgirlshome.com/blog/2013/5/4/home-fermented-strawberry-vinegar.html
I love that idea, Joanna– thanks for the link!
Brilliant.
Making some as I write this! Such a simple, brilliant idea…No more leftover fruit remorse!
Hurray!
I’m a little confused… I don’t cut my strawberries, but use a straw to push out the little green heart. Do you use this green heart, of actual strrawberry you cut off?
Yes, you can use that part. Any discarded parts from your strawberries will work.
Love this idea. Pinned it.
How long does it last?
Hi Brooke! In my experience, it can last indefinitely. Vinegar is one of the ultimate preservatives.
Hi Ladies. I’m happy to have found u all. Until now I have been eating the stems along with the strawberries because they are more palatable that way n hoping it was healthy n hated throwing away those bright green stems think they must be good for Us. So I finally looked it up tonight n discovered: Yes! They are not poisonous but healthy with vitamin C and Iron and probably more but my cell has limited juice time n can’t read all the good stuff till another time. Great seeing Ur articles. And it was interesting seeing the one on… If Ur strawberries are UNRIPED N BRIGHT RED They are POISENIOUS (Sp). ( is that like 1/2 white n green n bright red). & do we put them into a brown paperbag like avocados to ripen them– surely don’t want to too them!
I look forward to Ur reply.
Thanks
Hi this is Evelyn again I also Totally Liked the Article that u wrote about doing it with your Cherry Pits. That was actually Amazing that that is even possible …. Well now what about adding adding chery Stems to that version.
I try n knotted the Organic Strawberrys because strawberries are listed as the worst mist toxic fruit to eat unless organic so I don’t get them very often.. But long go I had them often & had them in blender mixed up with juicy navel Oranges n that’s very delicious n as I answered tonight I was eating these fresh org. strawberries with sliced oranges what a combination you wll have to try it to see for your self
Thank you for your article, Ariana, and the shared Wisdom!
Please keep doing it .
I’m curious about the cherry pits idea. The pits contain cyanide and shouldn’t be eaten. Does your idea take that into account? I’d love to try it if it’s safe. I’m going to try the strawberry idea today.