We’ve been storing blueberries wrong for years now, but with one simple food storage method your blue fruits can stay fresh for months now
Tucking into sweet and zesty blueberries during the summertime is a true delight. However, improper storage can result in them turning to squishy mush or even rotting just days after purchase.
Given that berries like these are high in water content, they’re especially prone to becoming bacterial breeding grounds or going mouldy. To fend off early spoiling that occurs when the fruit sugars begin fermenting upon contact with air, it’s crucial to be in the know on how to store blueberries correctly. Not only does this cut down on food waste, but it can also ease the pinch on your pocketbook.
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Amy Cross, a guru in food storage and the brain behind the cookery site The Cross Legacy. She asserts that investing less than five minutes to properly stow away your blueberries could mean enjoying them fresh for a whopping six to eight weeks.
She advised: “It only takes a few minutes to follow the steps to properly wash, dry, and store your blueberries. This small amount of time is worth it in order to reduce your food waste and ensure that they are fresh for weeks!”,
The trick to keeping blueberries fresher for an extended stretch.
It might raise eyebrows, but white vinegar’s potent acidity does wonders. Swishing blueberries in a modestly watered-down vinegar mix lifts away bacteria lingering on their skin which, if ignored, can hasten spoilage.
Moreover, vinegar’s acidic nature bars the growth of those pesky mould spores, securing several weeks of freshness for your berry post-purchase.
Before dunking your blueberries in a vinegar solution, it’s essential to set a timer. They should only be left to soak for exactly two minutes – any longer and you’ll end up with vinegary berries. When those crucial two minutes are up, quickly drain the blueberries using a colander or grab your salad spinner if you have one, giving them a brief rinse.
Next, spread out a tea towel on your worktop and lay the blueberries out in a single layer to air dry; it’s critical they’re bone dry before storage to prevent any nasty bacterial growth. As soon as the blueberries are properly dry, stash them away for safekeeping. Amy advises that the most suitable place is in a sealable container housed in the fridge to fend off bacteria.
While any lidded vessel will suffice, it turns out that glass containers or mason jars take the top spot for keeping fruit from going off too soon.
Adding a paper towel at the bottom of your chosen container helps a ton as it’ll soak up any sneaky moisture that might wreak havoc with mould or bacteria.
Amy elaborated: “A paper towel should be placed at the bottom of the mason jar in order to collect any excess moisture. As long as you follow my instructions, a little bit of condensation in the jar is okay.”
By following these simple steps and storing your container in the refrigerated sanctuary, your blueberries can enjoy an extended lifespan brimming with freshness, tang, and sweetness sometimes lasting a whopping two months longer than usual.
But it’s not just how you store the fruits – its how you wash them prior to storage, “Washing blueberries, the correct way, as well as storing them in mason jars or glass containers, will extend their shelf life to six to eight weeks! This allows you to enjoy fresh blueberries for months.” Amy said