Are You Supposed to Peel Strawberries?

There are some fruits that need peeling in order to enjoy them. Pineapples, watermelon and bananas are all fruits that have to be enjoyed without their outer core. Yet some fruits, like berries, are typically eaten as is. But what if we told you that peeling your strawberries could actually result in a sweeter-tasting fruit?

This idea originally came from a viral video from Chef Jose Andres over on TikTok. The video is of a conversation with James Beard award-winning cook and author Tamar Adler in an interview for a podcast, where Chef Andres shares his desire for eating peeled strawberries. He says peeled strawberries were meant “to be loved by you” and that they “fit perfectly with beautiful lips” and “if you’ve never had a peeled strawberry, you don’t understand.”

So why should one even bother peeling strawberries, and how would someone go about peeling them in the first place? We broke it down so you can fully understand Chef Andres’ obsession with peeled strawberries.

Should You Peel Strawberries?

@chefjoseandres I’ll show you the secret to eating strawberries! Try @boweryfarming ♬ original sound – José Andrés

So why should you make the effort of peeling strawberries in the first place? Chef Jose Andres admits in another TikTok video that in his house, they always peel their strawberries because of the “mouth feel.”

The skin of the strawberry also contains some bitterness, which tends to be common in all different types of berries. Without the skin, however, peeled strawberries contain all of that sweetness without the bitterness, making them even more pleasant to eat.

So after cleaning strawberries, maybe you should also consider peeling those strawberries for an even more elegant eating experience—especially if you’re using them for any of these no-bake strawberry desserts.

What’s the Best Way to Peel Strawberries?

While it isn’t required for you to peel these little fruits anytime you’re whipping up some kind of recipe with fresh strawberries, if you’re looking to upgrade the elegance of the dish you’re working on, peeled strawberries could do the trick.

Here’s how to peel strawberries: Using a pairing knife, carefully scrape off the peel of the strawberry until you’ve removed the skin and the seeds from the top. You don’t want to cut off a chunk and lose some of that sweetness, which is why carefully scraping it will do.

Chef Andres does this by holding the strawberry and carefully peeling it. However, if you’re nervous about using a knife while holding a small piece of fruit, some people will hold the strawberry in place with a fork instead. Simply pierce the strawberry at the top near the stem with a fork, then peel from the fat part of the strawberry down to the tip, then turn. Then remove the leaves and the stem at the top and you have a peeled strawberry ready for your dish—or to devour on the spot!