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Strawberry season is almost upon us, with British strawberries starting to slowly appear in UK supermarkets. But anyone who wants to pick the best pack should follow a simple rule that farmers go by.

Strawberries are one of Britain's favourite fruits. They can be enjoyed on their own, served with cream, added to cakes or blended into smoothies. Yet it is not always easy to tell which punnets will be sweet and juicy, and which may turn out tart. Now, a farmer has taken to Reddit to share a straightforward method shoppers can use when choosing strawberries.

According to the farmer, there is one key thing to check before putting a punnet in your trolley. And it all comes down to looking closely at the very top of the fruit.

Shoppers are being urged to check how red the strawberry is underneath its leafy green top, also known as the calyx.

If the colour runs all the way up to the "tippy top" and the berry is deep red throughout, it is likely to be ripe, sweet and full of juice.

However, if the area around the leaves looks pale or slightly yellow, the strawberry may not be fully ripe. In that case, it can taste firmer and more tart.

The farmer explained that "the sweetness of the berry is basically guaranteed if that redness reaches all the way up to the tippy top".

They also suggested that darker red patches can be another good sign.

While very ripe strawberries are ideal for eating straight away or serving with cream, slightly firmer berries can still be useful.

Strawberries picked a little earlier tend to last longer in the fridge. These may be better if you are not planning to eat them immediately.

To keep strawberries fresh for longer, it is recommended to store them in the fridge in a container lined with paper towel. This helps absorb excess moisture.

Shoppers are also advised to keep the leafy tops on until they are ready to eat the fruit, as removing them too early can shorten their shelf life.

• Look for strawberries that are deep red all the way up to the top, under the green leaves
• Avoid ones with pale or yellow areas near the stem
• Store in the fridge in a paper towel-lined container
• Keep the tops on until you're ready to eat
• Use very ripe berries for snacking, desserts or topping cakes
• Use firmer berries for longer shelf life or macerating with sugar