Don’t worry, you don’t have to throw your strawberries straight in the bin! What you observed is a phenomenon that went viral a few years ago as the “strawberry TikTok trend,” but actually has perfectly natural (if somewhat unappetizing) causes.

What are these white shapes?

The white, wavy strands are most likely the larvae of the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).

The process: Unlike the common fruit fly, the spotted wing drosophila lays its eggs in fresh, ripening fruit (not just fermenting fruit).

The reaction: The salt water draws liquid from the berry through osmosis, altering the environment so drastically that the larvae try to escape to the surface in order to survive. Should you throw them away?

In short: No, not necessarily.

Health: The larvae are completely harmless to humans. They contain no toxins or pathogens. In fact, we unknowingly eat tiny insects or their eggs with almost every piece of fruit that isn’t heavily sprayed.

Disgust factor: This is purely subjective. If the thought puts you off your food, that’s perfectly understandable.

Quality: If the strawberries are still firm and smell good, they’re perfectly fine. If they’re already very mushy or smell slightly sour/alcoholic, the larvae (or bacteria) have already done their work – then it’s off to the compost heap.

What can you do now?

Rinse: If you want to eat the berries, rinse them thoroughly with clean, cold water after the salt water bath to remove the salt and the larvae.

Processing: If the appearance of raw protein bothers you, cook it down into jam or blend it for a smoothie. Heating it will sterilize everything.

Future tip: If you want to avoid the appearance altogether, skip the saltwater bath. A quick rinse under running water is perfectly sufficient to remove any coarse dirt. What you can’t see won’t hurt you!

My conclusion: A little extra protein never hurt anyone, but ultimately, trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, discard it – after all, enjoyment should be fun!