It’s well worth the effort to seek out local strawberries during the growing season. Typically, grocery store chains carry newfangled berries bred for superficial good looks and durability—not for flavor. By contrast, small local farms often raise older, more fragile varieties that are much sweeter and juicier.

Once picked, strawberries do not ripen further—so don’t waste your money on mediocre berries in hopes that they’ll improve over time. It’s better to select perfectly ripe berries and enjoy them within a day or two.

Also read How To Store Strawberries.