One (of the many) things we love about summertime: fresh berries! And when they're in season, we like to get a lot of them.
Whether you’re purchasing fresh blueberries from your favorite farmers' market, picking your own from a local farm, or even growing them in your own garden, you're going to want to make your haul last as long as possible.
As wonderful as it would be to pop the berries right into your mouth after picking, they could have dirt or bacteria on them and that's no good. But a simple wash with a vinegar and water solution will remove all of that, and then you'll be able to enjoy as many blueberries as you like.
If you're just rinsing your berries off with water, you should wait until right before you're ready to eat them. That's because exposure to moisture can cause some bacteria and molds to grow, which will immediately begin to shorten your berries' shelf life.
But by using a mixture of vinegar and water, you can kill off most surface molds and bacteria while also rinsing off any dirt. This allows you to wash your blueberries right after you get them and have them last much longer than if you just rinsed them off in the sink—as long as they're stored properly (more on that below).
And, of course, if you're looking for some fun recipes to make with all of your freshly washed berries, we've got tons of delicious blueberry recipes you can enjoy all summer long.
What You Need
- Large bowl
- Colander
- White vinegar
- Measuring cup
Step One: Make Washing Solution
The best way to wash blueberries for maximum freshness is to let them soak in a 3:1 ratio water and vinegar solution. If you have around 3 to 4 cups of berries, start with 3 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar.
Step Two: Soak Blueberries
Add the water, vinegar, and berries to a large bowl, gently stir with your hand, and let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step Three: Rinse Blueberries
Transfer the berries to a colander in your sink and rinse with cold water.
Step Four: Dry Blueberries
Pat the blueberries dry with paper towels. Make sure to get them as dry as possible.
This step might not seem important, but it is. Moisture is enemy number one. You don't want any droplets of water on them when you transfer them to a container. It'll cause the berries to turn mushy or grow mold sooner. So make sure they're super dry!
You can even go a step further and then spread them on a paper towel lined baking sheet or wire rack and let them air-dry completely.
Related: 20 Blueberry Dessert Recipes for Peak Summer Eating
How to Store Blueberries
Once your blueberries are completely dry, transfer them to a container lined with paper towels. This will help soak up any extra moisture.
Place the container in the refrigerator with the lid slightly open to help with ventilation. Alternately, you can store them in a produce keeper, like the one below. They should last in your fridge for up to two weeks.
And now you can make sure to get the most out of your fresh blueberries this summer!
Try These Fresh Blueberry Recipes
Blueberry-Bourbon Snow Cone Cocktail
Blueberry Cobbler
Swirled Meringues with Blueberry Sauce
Blueberry-Lemon Loaf Cake
Blueberry Buckle Muffins
