Agronomist Alexey Kurenin told Life.ru that people should wash strawberries under cold running water immediately before eating them to prevent loss of flavor. He explained that washing strawberries right after purchase causes them to become watery and lose their taste.

Kurenin, a key account manager at Grodan, said berries should be rinsed under a stream of cold running water for about 30 seconds while gently mixing them by hand. He advised against removing stems before washing because water can enter the strawberries through the resulting opening.
After washing, Kurenin recommended spreading strawberries on a paper towel or napkin. He noted that this step removes excess moisture while preserving the texture and flavor of the fruit.
Cleaning Methods and Water Safety
The proper way to wash strawberries does not involve soap or household chemicals, according to Kurenin. He stated that plain water is sufficient for cleaning both greenhouse berries and those grown in soil.
Earlier, chemical engineer Tom Neltner called using hot tap water for cooking a mistake. He warned that hot tap water can contain higher amounts of plastic, lead, and other dangerous substances.
