Blueberries are a summer staple that are perfect to throw in a smoothie or bake into muffins, but storing them can be frustrating as they often spoil long before their expiry date. You might be surprised to learn that most fruit should not be stored in plastic, as it restricts airflow and traps moisture, which will create a humid environment.
Berries contain a lot of water, which naturally releases over time, and if too much moisture build-ups it will cause fruit like blueberries to become mouldy. However, Jerry James Stone, a recipe developer, has shared that it is very easy to keep blueberries plump and fresh for a long time, as you just need to take a few minutes to wash them properly.
Jerry said, “You simply cannot see all the bad stuff on the blueberries. You’re not Ant-Man. Produce is covered in dirt, mould spores, and other nasties that cause it to spoil. Blueberries are especially sensitive to these things. So you need to wash them.”
Blueberries are prone to bacteria due to their high water content, and you should wash them if you want them to last longer, as it reduces their chances of contamination and mould.
All you have to do is place the blueberries in a big bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar. Vinegar can kill mould spores and bacteria on your blueberries, but it is gentle enough that it will disinfect without bruising the fruit.
Make sure to soak your blueberries for roughly five minutes, then strain them in a colander and place them on a plate lined with a tea towel or paper towels.
Any moisture will simply encourage bacteria to come back and spoil your berries, so make sure none of the blueberries are wet before you store them again.
Once your blueberries are completely dry, store them in a container lined with paper towels as they will absorb any excess moisture, which stops them from becoming mouldy or mushy.
Jerry said, “Once they are dry, store the berries in a towel-lined container that you can cover, and place them in the fridge.
“Something slightly breathable is best. Airtight containers can trap moisture, and we don’t want that. That also means keeping them out of any drawers that create excess humidity. No joke. I have had blueberries last for just about three weeks this way.”
Blueberries that are washed, dried, and stored with paper towels will have less bacteria in their environment and can stay fresh for up to 21 days, so you will not have to worry about throwing away these juicy berries this summer.