Blueberries have a tendency to spoil rapidly, so it’s best not to store them at room temperature. Here’s the correct way to store them and extend their shelf life
Blueberries can be made to last longer if you avoid a common step many people take when preparing and storing them in the fridge.
Nathan Lyon, a chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health, has shared his top tips for keeping blueberries fresh. The celebrity chef is an Emmy nominee for his cookbook Great Food Starts Fresh, which retails for US$42.00 on his website chef Nathan Lyon. He also sells a children’s book Sam The Clam and a list of 14 recipes that are high in fibre.
As blueberries are known to spoil quickly, it’s best not to leave them at room temperature, he advised Martha Stewart. His two key rules include: not washing them with water and avoiding overfilling one container with too many berries. This comes after a writer claimed ‘I tried butter from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and big brands – and the winner is not Lurpak’.
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If you find yourself with an excess of blueberries, they can always be used in a pie, as a dessert garnish or added to your morning yoghurt, reports the Express.
Here’s how to properly store blueberries
To prolong the shelf life of blueberries, follow Washington State University’s simple guide to freezing them. Firstly, give the blueberries a good rinse and ensure they’re completely dry before freezing. It’s vital to dry them properly to stop the berries from sticking together.
Next, spread the washed and dried blueberries out in a single layer on a baking tray. This helps keep the berries separate and stops them from clumping together.
Then, pop the baking tray into the freezer and let the berries freeze until they’re solid. Once they’re frozen, move the blueberries into an airtight container or freezer bag for long-term storage.
Benefits of eating blueberries
According to Healthline, blueberries contain a list of health benefits, mostly due to their high antioxidant content, including anthocyanins. This is known to protect consumers against heart disease, improve brain health, and potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers.
A great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese, blueberries are known to be great ‘brain food’ for students, with certain studies suggesting the fruit can improve memory, prevent cognitive decline – some going as far to suggest they can delay age-related cognitive issues.