How Long Do Blueberries Last – How To Keep Blueberries Fresh
Picture this. You just came from the farmer’s market and brought home fresh and juicy blueberries.
However, you can’t just eat them yet because you are planning to make blueberry jams and pies in the next few days, how can you make sure to preserve them and prevent molds from infiltrating?
Or maybe you want to know how far in advance of thanksgiving or Christmas can you buy blueberries and have them remain fresh – how do you store them.
Well, there are different shelf life for fresh blueberries and the result will depend on your storage system.
If they are bit old – you can make homemade Jam using some pectin
Plus if you are serving a big group – how many blueberries per person do you serve and what do you serve with blueberries that pair well.
What are the best pomegranate flavor pairings?
Blueberries are often added to browns but how long do brownies last left out
In this article, you will learn how long blueberries can be stored and ways on how you can store them properly, so let’s explore just how long blueberries last.
How Long Do Fresh Blueberries Last?
Out of the fridge fresh blueberries last only 1 day. If they’re going to be eaten right away they can be left out. Else they are better to be refrigerated.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in The Fridge
Blueberries last in the fridge for 7-10 days and will be just as fresh as when you purchased them. But they must be stored in the right container, if they were purchased in a plastic-style clamshell container you can store them in that. But it is worth inspecting them first so any off blueberries are discarded. See below how to tell if the blueberries are off.
The best place to put blueberries is a crisper draw in the fridge.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in The Freezer
Blueberries last in the freezer for up to 6 months and will be just as fresh as when you purchased them if frozen and thawed correctly.
To choose fresh sweet blueberries see how the professional choose.
How to Store Blueberries
Put them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze them for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Blueberries
To freeze blueberries, place them in a freezer bag. Remove from the freezer and thaw overnight at in the fridge.
How Long Can Blueberries Be Stored?
So to summarize
- Blueberries can be stored at room temperature for 1 day
- Blueberries can be stored in the fridge for 1 week plus (7- 10 days)
- Blueberries can be stored in the freezer for up to six months
Blueberries can last for a day if they will be left on your kitchen counter at room temperature. This is probably the freshest way you can eat blueberries. Frozen blueberries that are not thawed correctly or have freezer burn are best used in milkshakes or frozen fruit smoothies.
How to Thaw Frozen Blueberries
Thawed frozen berries should be used within 3 days. If stored longer than this, they will start to lose flavor and texture.
How to Store Blueberries to Extend Their Shelf Life?
To extend the shelf life of frozen blueberries, place them in a container lined with paper towels and cover them with plastic wrap. Place the container in the freezer until the berries are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen berries to a storage bag or container.
How to Store Blueberries the Right Way
While freezing blueberries may preserve them longer than storing them at room temperature, they will still lose some of their nutritional content during this process.
1. Check for existing mold
Moldy food has the potential to cause serious health problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fever, skin rashes, and, in rare cases, death. It’s important to check all foods before eating them, but especially those that come from outside sources.
2. Rinse
Before freezing if the blueberries look dirty it is best practice to wash them. However, if you have purchased them from a supermarket it is likely that they have been bulk washed and can be frozen straight away.
3. Make sure your blueberries are dry
If you rinse your berries thoroughly, you need to dry them thoroughly. The best way to dry them is to lay them on a baking tray on top of absorbent paper towels both on the top and bottom and just gently roll the berries around so that it water is absorbed. Be gentle you do not want to damage the berries
4. Refrigerate or Freeze them
After the berries are dry they are ready to be put in the fridge or the freezer in the individual I use Ziploc bags and store them in the quantities that I plan to use them.
5. If the blueberries are overripe, freeze them
Overripe blueberries – unless you are going to make them into jam immediately your best to freeze them straight away.
Can Blueberries Go Bad?
Just like any other fruit, blueberries can go bad if not stored properly. It is best recommended that you buy your blueberries from farmer’s markets and nearby farms to buy the freshest fruits and vegetables and also help their business thrive. In addition, you should also wash and dry them properly to make sure that you will not ingest dust dirt, or insects.
There are four (4) characteristics to look at to tell if the blueberries you just bought are bad or inedible. If they are mushy, have a soft texture and visible discoloration, and have some bruising around them, then they might be inedible already. Also, if you see molds on the blueberries, please throw them away or make them your plants’ fertilizer.
How to Tell if Blueberries Are Bad, Rotten or Spoiled?
Rotten blueberries will have a strong smell and taste similar to vinegar. If it has mold growing on it, then it should be thrown away.
Blueberries Leaking juices
If you see a lot of liquid at the bottom of the plastic container you purchased the blueberries and this is a sign that they are perhaps going off and certainly they will need to be washed.
Blueberries Have Mold growth
Always check your blueberries before you buy them. If they have mold when you get home it is probably best to discard the berries rather than trying to wash it off.
Blueberries Texture and softness
The texture and softness of blueberries is also an indication that they are about to go off. If they are rather soft and mushy then you should freeze them immediately.
Blueberries Have A Foul smell
If you can smell something unusual from the blueberries put them into the trash immediately.
Blueberries Have Undesirable Taste
If you try one of the blueberries and it just doesn’t taste right I would return it immediately to the place I purchased it if that is practical. If not you are better just discarding the berries altogether.
Can You Eat Blueberries after Best Before Date?
When you buy blueberries from the grocery store, you should eat them in five days or so and NOT after the best before date. However, if you will not eat the blueberries in a week, you can always freeze them to lengthen their life and still preserve their natural sweetness.