How To Store Fresh Blueberries
Posted by Ann Wildes at
Blueberry season is delicious! Get tips to store blueberries so they stay fresh as long as possible.
One of the best things about South Georgia summer is all the fresh berries! And there’s no better place to get fresh blueberries than Alma, Georgia.
Since my husband and I have a blueberry farm (and I opened a shop that specializes in blueberry products), we’ve had to learn the best ways to keep these summer berries fresh and tasty.
How to keep blueberries so they stay fresh and last longer?
- Go through and remove any damaged berries
- Put them directly in the refrigerator for up to 10 days
When you get home from the store, or the field if you pick them yourself, the first thing to do is search through them and remove any that are mushed or moldy. The mold isn’t a problem if you pick them yourself, but it can be if you buy them in a supermarket. One moldy berry can ruin the whole bowl.
There’s no need to rinse the blueberries until you’re ready to eat them. It’s better to keep them dry because this keeps bacteria from growing.
If you do wash them, just make sure that they’re completely dry before putting them in the refrigerator. Moisture breeds mold, so any water left on the berries will make them go bad quicker.
To me, the easiest way to store blueberries so they stay fresh is to put them in the fridge in the container that they came in from the store. To soak up some of the moisture, place a paper towel in the bottom of the package.
If you pick your berries yourself or buy locally, they might not come in a plastic clamshell or container. In that case, put them in any bowl or container but don’t close the lid completely. You want the berries to have air. If you bring them right in from the hot field, let them sit and come to room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in the Fridge?
Fresh blueberries can last up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Don’t put them in the crisper drawer (the bottom drawer of most refrigerators). This is because the berries need air circulation to stay dry and hold their freshness.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in the Freezer?
If you can’t finish your harvest in 10 days, simply put the rest of the blueberries in the freezer. Here, they’ll last up to 10 months without losing flavor or the nutrients that blueberries are famous for.