Strawberries get darker after picking them, but not sweeter. Rather than depending on color, smell the berries! If they smell strong and sweet, they're ripe.

Are dark red strawberries bad?

Bad strawberries are ones that are mushy, damaged, leaking juice, shriveled or moldy. ... When shopping for strawberries, choose those that have a bright, even, red color, a fresh aroma and an intact, healthy, green cap. Moldy strawberries or overripe strawberries should always be avoided.

What does it mean when a strawberry is dark red?

Strawberries get darker after picking them, but not sweeter. Rather than depending on color, smell the berries! If they smell strong and sweet, they're ripe.