Blueberries are fantastic to eat as part of a healthy breakfast or to bake into pies now in autumn, but it is easy to waste money on them as they can be difficult to keep fresh. These tasty berries have very fragile skin, and any movement can easily damage them. Any bruise or cut on the fruit can encourage bacteria but they also hold a lot of water, which tends to attract mould.
However, you do not have to keep throwing away as Barbara Curry, the founder of Butter & Baggage, has shared blueberries will stay fresh and mould-free for weeks if they are washed 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 very acidic and antibacterial so can kill any mould spores which will help stop blueberries spoiling before their time.
It will also remove any germs, dirt and pesticide residue on blueberries, which also helps extend the shelf life.
Washing blueberries with a little vinegar really simple storage method that takes less than five minutes, but will keep them fresh for two weeks longer.
Distilled white vinegar is the best type to use, and do not worry it will not change the taste of your berries as long as you do not soak them for a really long time.
How to store blueberries to get them to last longer
All you need to do is fill a big bowl with water and add the white vinegar. You are looking for a solution that is roughly three parts water and one part vinegar.
Then, tip your blueberries into the bowl and let them soak for five minutes. It is best to just soak them a few minutes as it does not take long to wash them.
While the blueberries are soaking, line a tray with paper towels, and when the time is up, place the berries on the tray. You need to make sure the blueberries are completely dry before storing them, as any dampness will attract bacteria and therefore mould.
Once the blueberries are completely dry, place them in an empty food container lined with paper towels. Blueberries have a high water content and can leak moisture, but lining the container with paper towels helps absorb excess liquid and keeps them clean and dry for longer
Do not place a lid on the food container as it can create a humid environment, and instead line the top with more paper towels. Stick the blueberries in the fridge and they should stay fresh and juicy for at least two weeks.