Blueberries are a delicious and healthy snack, but they can be difficult to keep fresh. However, one expert has shared a simple trick to keep them mould-free for longer
Blueberries are brilliant to enjoy as part of a nutritious breakfast or to bake into pies during autumn, but it’s simple to squander money on them as they can be tricky to keep fresh. These delicious berries have extremely delicate skin, and any movement can easily harm them.
Any bruise or cut on the fruit can promote bacteria, but they also contain plenty of water, which tends to draw mould.
Nevertheless, you don’t have to keep discarding them as Barbara Curry, the founder of Butter & Baggage, has revealed blueberries will remain fresh and mould-free for weeks if they are cleaned properly before storing them. Barbara said: “All berries can carry mould spores which is what will cause them to go mouldy so quickly. If you wash them with a vinegar wash made of vinegar and cold water, it will remove the mould and increase their shelf life.”
Vinegar is naturally extremely acidic and antibacterial so can eliminate any mould spores which will help prevent blueberries spoiling prematurely.
It will also clear any germs, dirt and pesticide residue on blueberries, which also helps prolong the shelf life, reports the Express.
Cleaning blueberries with a bit of vinegar is a really straightforward storage technique that takes less than five minutes, but will keep them fresh for two weeks longer.
Distilled white vinegar is the finest type to use, and don’t worry it won’t alter the taste of your berries as long as you don’t soak them for an extremely long time.
How to store blueberries to get them to last longer
All you need to do is fill a large bowl with water and add the white vinegar, aiming for a solution that’s roughly three parts water to one part vinegar.
Next, pop your blueberries into the bowl and let them soak for five minutes. It’s best to just soak them for a few minutes as it doesn’t take long to clean them.
Whilst the blueberries are soaking, line a tray with kitchen roll, and when the time is up, place the berries on the tray. It’s crucial to ensure the blueberries are completely dry before storing them, as any dampness will attract bacteria and therefore mould.
Once the blueberries are bone dry, put them in an empty food container lined with kitchen roll. Blueberries have a high water content and can leak moisture, but lining the container with kitchen roll helps absorb excess liquid and keeps them clean and dry for longer.
Avoid placing a lid on the food container as it can create a humid environment, and instead line the top with more kitchen roll.
Pop the blueberries in the fridge and they should stay fresh and juicy for at least a fortnight.