Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing blueberries for storage
• Method 2 of 3: Storing blueberries in the refrigerator
• Method 3 of 3: Storing blueberries in the freezer
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• What you need to store blueberries in the refrigerator
• What you need to store blueberries in the freezer
• Additional articles

Blueberries are a delicious summer berry that is best eaten raw, added to yogurt or salad, and pie fillings. Unfortunately, if stored improperly, blueberries will quickly deteriorate, become soft or even moldy. This article will show you how to properly store blueberries in the refrigerator and freezer.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing blueberries for storage

1. 1 Go through the blueberries and remove the rotten berries, leaving only the clean ones. Discard berries that have white mold. Mold mainly forms around the stem of blueberries. Also discard berries that have become too soft and lethargic. Such berries are already overripe, which means they will deteriorate too quickly. By sorting out the bad ones from the good ones, you can prevent mold from spreading.
2. 2 Remove the stalks. Most often, the stalks will fall off on their own, but if you notice berries with stalks, remove them. If you eat berries with stalks, nothing bad will happen, but they can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
3. 3 Rinse the blueberries with a 1: 3 mixture of vinegar and water (for one part vinegar, take 3 parts water). It is recommended to wash the berries just before use, but rinsing in vinegar solution is allowed. Washing your blueberries ahead of time can lead to quick mold growth. The vinegar solution will kill fungal spores and prevent mold from growing quickly. Place the berries in a strainer or colander, dip them in a bowl of vinegar solution. Shake the strainer or colander, then remove it from the solution. Rinse the berries with cool water to remove the vinegar's taste and odor.
4. 4 Dry the blueberries well. Even a small drop of moisture left on the berries will rot quickly, so the blueberries must be completely dry before storing them. There are several ways to dry berries:
   • Line the lettuce dryer with paper towels, put the blueberries inside the dryer. Swirl the dryer for a few seconds to absorb all the moisture into the towels.
   • Place the blueberries on a tray and air dry. Use a fan to speed up the process.

Method 2 of 3: Storing blueberries in the refrigerator

1. 1 Find a basket-like container and wash it well. You can use a slotted or perforated ceramic bowl, or you can use the plastic container in which the blueberries were sold. There should be small holes in the container so that the berries are well ventilated.
   • Do not use metal containers. Blueberries will react with the metal, discolor, and stains may remain on the berries and on the bowl.
2. 2 Fold a paper towel in four and place it on the bottom of the basket. If you are using a large dish, such as a bowl, use a few sheets of paper towel, you do not need to roll them up.
3. 3 Place the blueberries on top of a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent mold growth.
4. 4 Place the blueberries in the refrigerator. Do not place the blueberry container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, otherwise the berries will be damaged by the extreme cold. The best place to store blueberries is in the middle or bottom shelf. Do not store blueberries in the fruit drawer. Most of these boxes have high humidity and insufficient ventilation, which can lead to mold growth. Blueberries can be kept in the refrigerator for five to ten days.
   • The coldest part of the refrigerator is the top shelf.

Method 3 of 3: Storing blueberries in the freezer

1. 1 Arrange the blueberries in a single layer on a shallow tray. First, you will need to freeze each berry separately. This method will help to avoid the berries sticking and turning from into one frozen heap. You can use a frying pan, baking dish, or baking sheet. If you are using metal utensils, place parchment paper on the bottom to protect the blueberries from touching the metal surface.
2. 2 Place the tray in the freezer and wait for each blueberry to freeze. This may take 2 to 3 hours.
3. 3 Transfer the frozen blueberries to a Ziploc bag designed to be frozen in the freezer. Transfer the berries from the tray to the bag. Be careful not to scatter the berries. You can place handfuls of blueberries in the bag, or tilt the tray over the bag to pour the berries into it.
4. 4 Close the Ziploc bag and place it in the freezer. In this form, blueberries can be stored for up to 1 year.
   • If you plan to use frozen blueberries in baked goods, you don't need to defrost them first, just rinse them with cold water. Wait until the water is clear to prevent excessive juicing during baking.

Tips

• Place the blueberries in a single layer on a shallow dish before placing them in the refrigerator. This will help keep the blueberries longer. If blueberries are stored in a heap, mold will quickly spread from one berry to the next.

Warnings

• Do not wash blueberries before storing them. Wait until you are ready to eat it. Pre-washing the blueberries will cause rapid decay and mold.

What do you need

What you need to store blueberries in the refrigerator

• Sieve or colander (optional)
• Plastic basket or similar container
• Paper towel

What you need to store blueberries in the freezer

• Sieve or colander (optional)
• Shallow tray, baking sheet, or dish
• Freezer sealed plastic bag

Additional articles

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