Fresh, Ready-to-eat Blueberries One of the most common ways to store blueberries is keeping a stash of fresh blueberries in the fridge. It's important to refrigerate fresh berries after a grocery delivery, trip to the store or visit to the u-pick farm.
Refrigerate fresh berries right after grocery shopping or a visit to the blueberry patch. You can store them in the plastic clamshell they come in, or in a large, un-covered bowl or container. Don't store fresh blueberries in an airtight container as this can trap moisture and speed up mold and rot.
You can leave blueberries at room temperature if you plan to eat them in the next day or so, but after that you should transfer them to the fridge—they can stay there for five to 10 days. Of course, you can freeze them if you want to keep them longer than that. Frozen blueberries will last about six months.
The best place to store blueberries is in the fridge where the shelf life of blueberries is about 2 weeks if properly stored. If you choose to freeze them, they will last for about 10 months.
Unless you plan to eat them immediately, there's no need to jump the gun on washing blueberries. These small summer fruits last longest when stored in the back of the refrigerator, and washed just before eating.
That means no air-tight plastic or glass containers—though if that's all you have on hand, just leave the lid slightly ajar. You should also place a dry paper towel at the bottom of this container, to sop up any excess moisture that might cause more damage.
One of the cardinal rules of keeping berries mold-free is to leave them unwashed until the moment before consumption. But, by washing your berries in a solution of vinegar and water, you can extend their shelf-life by days (sometimes even weeks!).
How to store fresh berries. Once they're washed and dried, fresh berries should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 34℉ and 38℉. Pick out and discard any that are already squished or have moldy spots.
Make sure your blueberries are dry
Then transfer the berries to a breathable container that you've lined with paper towels, such as the box or basket the berries came in. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture, and the air circulation will deter mold.
Berries generally last anywhere from 3 to 7 seven days once they are picked and stored. It is best to refrigerate your Berries, and in doing so, you will extend their freshness.
Check on berries after an hour to see if they're dry. If not, give them a gentle stir with your hands or gently pat them dry. Once completely dry, move them to a clean mason jar. Cover with a lid and refrigerate.
If your berries came in a ventilated plastic clamshell-type package, wash it with soap and hot water, rinse and dry, then line it with a dry paper towel. Put the clean, dry berries back in the clamshell and store them in the fridge.
Storing Fresh Blueberries in the Refrigerator
A layer no deeper than an inch and a half or so is fine. Then transfer to the fridge, but don't stash them in your crisper drawers, where the environment is naturally more humid; keep them on a middle or upper shelf.
Climacteric or non-, all berries decline rapidly, but you can keep it at bay by using the fridge, Satterfield advises. Store most berries dry and in the container in which you bought them, he says, except for strawberries, which tend to dry out in the fridge.
Fresh berries from your local farm taste amazing at room temperature so it's the sooner the better for munching. For long-term storage keep them in the fridge. To avoid soggy or moldy berries, rinse just before eating. Allow peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums to ripen at room temperature.
Washing the blueberries will destroy that natural layer of protection, so it's best to wait until the day you plan to use them to give them a quick rinse. If you do choose to wash blueberries before freezing, be sure they are completely dry before freezing. Excess moisture could lead to bacteria, mold and rot.
The right approach is: Fill a large bowl with cold water, then gently place the berries in a colander and dip it in the water bath. (This results in an even wash that protects the berries.) Afterwards, transfer the berries to a paper towel-lined, airtight container and place in the refrigerator.
To dry berries after washing, carefully spread them in a single layer on a tray or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Gently pat the berries dry with another paper towel.
You don't want to use airtight containers here. For easy and efficient storage—sans paper towels—use produce-specific storage containers that promote airflow to help keep those berries fresh.
Lay washed berries out evenly and place in the freezer. 3. After 12 hours, when completely frozen, place into Ziploc bags.
Insert the fruit into a freezer bag. Leave an inch of space at the top of the bag in case the fruit expands. Press the bag together by hand to remove as much air as possible. Close the bag by pulling the zipper across or pushing the seal together across the top of the bag.
Do not remove the stem, and do not wash the strawberries before storing them. Use a clean glass jar that's been washed and dried thoroughly. It needs to have a tight-fitting lid.