After buying a punnet of blueberries, it can be tempting to immediately pop it in the fridge and not give the fruit another thought until you need it.
Technically, this method can work but there is a storage hack to make your blueberries last even longer. These fruits are relatively delicate, and they benefit from special care and handling.
Food storage guru Amy Cross, who founded The Cross Legacy’s culinary site, has revealed that a quick two-minute storage routine can keep your blueberries fresh for an impressive six to eight weeks.
She advised: “It only takes a few minutes to follow the steps to properly wash, dry, and store your blueberries. This small amount of time is worth it in order to reduce your food waste and ensure that they are fresh for weeks.”
To do so, start by dunking them in a bowl of cold water mixed with about four tablespoons of white vinegar.
It might seem odd, but white vinegar’s high acidity means giving your blueberries a vinegar-water bath can zap away surface bacteria that would otherwise hasten their spoilage.
The acidic properties of vinegar are a nifty trick to keep mould spores at bay and ensure your blueberries stay fresher for longer after purchase.
It’s crucial to watch the clock when dunking those blues into the vinegar mix two minutes is all it takes unless you fancy a tangy vinegar twist to your berries.
After their brief soak, give the blueberries a quick rinse in a colander or salad spinner, if you’re feeling fancy.
Spread them out on a tea towel on your worktop to properly dry off in a single layer. Once they’re dry, pop them into a lidded container – a glass one or a mason jar is ace for keeping fruit fresh and mould-free.
Slip in a paper towel at the base of the container before introducing the blueberries – it’s a great tip for soaking up any sneaky moisture that could lead to mould or bacteria issues.
Amy advised: “A paper towel should be placed at the bottom of the mason jar to collect any excess moisture. As long as you follow my instructions, a little bit of condensation in the jar is okay.”
Pop your blueberries in the fridge following these instructions, and they’ll stay fresh, zingy, and sweet for an additional two months than usual.
Amy explained: “Washing blueberries, the correct way, as well as storing them in mason jars or glass containers, will extend their shelf life to six to eight weeks! This allows you to enjoy fresh blueberries for months.”
