How to wash and store blueberries to keep them fresh & aromatic
Nothing feels worse than opening a container full of blueberries to find a soggy, moldy mess. You might think that the best way to preserve blueberries is to just put the container in the fridge because they are one of the hardier berries. When it comes to the best way to store blueberries at home, however, you might be amazed at how simple it is to keep your berries fresher for longer. We’ve got some helpful hints for enjoying these nutritious purple orbs, including how to preserve blueberries properly, so you don’t waste a single one. If you want to see how to actually wash and store blueberries, then keep on reading:
Let’s see how to properly wash and store blueberries to keep them fresh and delicious
What are the benefits of eating blueberries?
Blueberries are very good sources of Carotene, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Iron. Blueberries contain significant amounts of anthocyanidins, antioxidant compounds that impart blue, purple, and red colors to fruits and vegetables. These fruits also contain ellagic acid, another phytochemical that inhibits cell destruction. Blueberries are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, and soluble and insoluble fiber such as pectin. Apart from their magical taste, blueberries also have a healing effect for various types of ailments – they lower cholesterol, they are extremely useful for improving eyesight and help with neurodegenerative disorders. Blueberries are one of the best fruits for weight loss, according to science. So, you definitely need some blueberries in your life!
These nutritious purple orbs are full of vitamins
How do I choose the best blueberries?
The best blueberries are plump, vibrant in color, and super juicy!
In the supermarket
When choosing blueberries, you should select those that are firm and have a vibrant color with a whitish tint. Fruits that are more flesh-colored or soft and paler should be avoided. Fully ripe fruits are the best antioxidants. So, take your time to choose the best berries, so you have a longer time to enjoy them before they spoil!
Closely observe your fruit to make sure there is no mold
Blueberries are hardier than strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
In the garden
Because store-bought berries aren’t as fresh, picking the berries yourself is ideal! Look for blueberries that are entirely ripe and fall off the stem with the slightest touch. They may not be ready if you have to pull. Remember to return to areas you believe you’ve previously explored. A new viewpoint has a way of miraculously revealing all the nice ones you may have overlooked. Wondering how to choose the best raspberries? Check out our guide for picking, storing, and washing raspberries!
Choose only the plumpest and most vibrant of blueberries
Always go back to areas you have explored, so you don’t miss any blueberries
Watch this video to see how to grow blueberries in containers:
How should I wash blueberries?
Blueberries are not as delicate as raspberries, despite their fragile and squishy appearance. To wash them, you need to rinse the berries under cold water in a colander. You can even soak them in the water if the blueberries appear to be especially delicate and prone to squishing. Blueberries can also be washed in a bowl with a three-to-one apple cider vinegar solution that will disinfect and clean them. Swish the berries around in the basin to get rid of any bacteria. You can also add some baking soda to the bowl that will remove any pesticides or dirt. Learn more about the many unique uses of baking soda to find more cool and useful hacks to try!
First, soak your blueberries in a vinegar bath
Then rinse them with cold water, they can take it!
Watch this video to see how to clean blueberries:
How do I store fresh blueberries?
Once picked, blueberries do not last long, and you need to can or eat them. You can make great cakes and muffins with them, but if you have decided you want to store them for longer, here are some helpful ideas:
- Ripe blueberries should be stored in a container in the refrigerator, where they can keep for about a week, although it is best to eat them within a few days. It is important to know where you should store berries in the fridge, so check out our fruit and vegetable storage guide to find out!
- The fruit should always be inspected before storage and any damaged berries removed to prevent the spread of mold.
- Blueberries should not be washed before storing, as this will remove the protective coating that prevents their skin from degrading. Wash only as much as you are going to eat.
- Choose a container to store your blueberries. Make sure they are completely dry. Our advice is to opt for glass jars, since they keep the fruit fresh for the longest. The same goes for storing strawberries, as well!
- Over ripening of the fruit is more common in room temperature (or hot) storage conditions, so don’t leave your peak-season blueberries on the counter to soak up the summer sun.
Add your blueberries to a glass jar
And stick them in the fridge!
Here you can see how this method compares to others
Tips for picking and storing blueberries
Whether you pick blueberries from your garden or from a greenhouse, here are a few general things to consider:
- You can refrigerate blueberries, but for how long, there’s no telling. It all depends on how ripe the berries are.
- Freezing blueberries is done in the following way – place the washed berries in bags or boxes and freeze them. In this way, the fruits can last for a year.
- You can use the split and damaged berries straight away in baking.
- Paper towels are your best defense against moisture when it comes to blueberry storage.
- You can allow your blueberries to touch, but avoid putting them on top of each other without a paper towel in between.
- If possible, store them in the back of a fridge that you do not use often. It is the coolest region of the fridge, so your berries will last longer without freezing.
- Remove any stems and sift out any red, small, or split berries from the healthy blueberries.
- Add your blueberries to an ice-cold water bath to make them fresher before consumption. This goes for many other fruits or vegetables!
Look closely and remove any damaged or spoiled blueberries
Add your blueberries to an ice-cold water bath to make them fresher
Watch this video for advice on how to store blueberries and keep them fresh:
What can I make with blueberries?
In addition to being super healthy and nutritious, blueberries are also very tasty, which is why they are widely used in cooking. They can be eaten both on their own or in delicious blueberry pies, muffins, cakes, or cheesecakes. They serve as a great decoration for different dishes, and they combine well with other fruits. Blueberries can be used to make a great blueberry jam or blueberry syrup, which are also very tasty and a smart way to preserve the fruit for a long time. So, if you have more blueberries than you can handle, use them to make a sweet jam that you can have for breakfast in the upcoming months! Explore all blueberries have to offer by whipping up a fruity blueberry dish!
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