How to store and freeze fresh blueberries.
A 10 lb box is a lot of fruit. Here is how to keep it tasting fresh, in the fridge and the freezer.
In the fridge.
Keep them dry
Moisture shortens their life, so leave the berries unwashed until you are ready to eat them.
Chill them soon
Move them to the fridge when you get home, and give them some air rather than sealing them tight.
Sort as you go
Lift out any soft or damaged berries so they don’t affect the rest of the box.
In the freezer.
Start dry
Freeze the berries unwashed and dry. If you do rinse them, pat them completely dry first.
Spread them out
Lay them in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm, so they don’t clump.
Bag and label
Move them to freezer bags with the date, then pour out only what you need.
Good to know.
- That pale, dusty coating is the bloom. It is natural.
- Rinse berries just before you eat or cook with them, including frozen ones.
- Frozen berries can go straight into smoothies, muffins and pancakes.