Whether you bought fresh or freeze-stored blueberries, you can follow some basic steps to ensure they’ll last in the fridge for as long as possible. And if you’re concerned that they’re going bad, there are some signs to look out for that will help you identify whether they’re going bad.
How Long do Blueberries Last in the Fridge?
In the refrigerator, blueberries can stay fresh for 5 to 10 days. With a few easy tips, you can extend the shelf life of your blueberries. To preserve the other berries, immediately discard any moldy blueberries. Put the berries in a container that can breathe. They can get the right amount of airflow by using a non-airtight container. Add a few paper towels to the container to absorb any extra moisture. Lastly, keep the blueberries in your crisper drawer to reduce moisture exposure.
Fresh Blueberries
Whether you’re looking to store blueberries in your refrigerator, freezer, or pantry, there are a few ways to preserve them. Here are three tips to help you store your blueberries in the best way possible.
First, you’ll want to store your berries on a paper towel-lined tray. This will prevent mold from forming. Also, this will absorb excess moisture. If you don’t have a paper towel-lined tray, you can use a plastic container with a liner or a Ziploc-like bag.
Next, place your blueberries in an airtight container. This is important because blueberries are susceptible to mold. Also, keep your blueberries in an area of your fridge with little humidity. This is typically the middle rack.
Finally, make sure you pick your blueberries at the peak of ripeness. This will help them last longer. If you can’t get your blueberries at their peak, try freezing them. This will help them last for up to six months.
Thawed Blueberries
Whether you are planning on storing blueberries in the refrigerator or freezer, there are some steps you should take to ensure the best possible results. The process of freezing and thawing can make or break the flavor of these fruits.
First, you should purchase high-quality blueberries. These will be the most delicious and nutritious. They will last a long time, especially if they are properly stored.
To store fresh blueberries, pick them off the stems and wash them. You should also dry them off thoroughly. Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe container and seal them. It would be best if you marked the container with the date you bought them and the date you intend to use them.
If you plan to store your blueberries for more than a few days, you should freeze them. Freezing blueberries can prolong their shelf life so you can enjoy them even longer.
If you plan to freeze your blueberries, you should store them in an airtight container. If you do not, your blueberries will become mushy and tasteless.
Freeze-Stored Blueberries
Whether you’re planning to eat them straight out of the freezer or making a batch of blueberry smoothies, knowing how long freeze-stored blueberries last in the fridge can help you decide whether to buy them now or wait for them later. The good news is that they can last up to a week at room temperature, five days in the refrigerator, or six months in the freezer.
To help your blueberries last longer, you should store them in a breathable container. Blueberries are sensitive to moisture, and excess moisture can accelerate the growth of bacteria, which may lead to spoilage.
When you bring home your fresh berries, it’s a good idea to inspect them for mold and insects. If they’re rotten or moldy, discard them and replace them with clean berries.
Blueberries aren’t the only berries that can be washed and preserved. You can prolong their shelf life by soaking them in a vinegar solution. The same holds for strawberries, raspberries, and other fruits.
Should Blueberries be Refrigerated?
It’s best to keep blueberries in the refrigerator unless you’re going to eat them within the next 24 hours. A breathable container with paper towels is the best storage option for blueberries. The paper towels absorb extra moisture while providing the best possible airflow.
- For short-term storage, blueberries should ideally be refrigerated.
- Put the container in the crisper drawer and line it with a paper towel to make it breathable.
Before storing, you can quickly rinse and pat dry your blueberries. However, it’s generally preferable to wait until right before eating to wash them. To keep blueberries fresher longer, you should also store your blueberry container in the crisper drawer.
When should you Not Eat Blueberries?
Moldy blueberries should not be eaten. Moldy blueberries are bad blueberries that should not be consumed because they pose a health risk. Additionally, you ought to avoid berries with an undesirable color.
- Don’t consume moldy or tarnished blueberries.
- Eat a blueberry only after rinsing the fruit’s skin under cool water.
- Avoid eating unripe fruit (i.e., unripe berries).
Blueberries should only be eaten after being thoroughly rinsed with cold water. Washing blueberries is essential to get rid of pesticides and lingering bacteria. Avoid any unripe berries, too. They won’t yet be blue, so you’ll be able to identify them.
Are Blueberries Good After 2 Weeks?
If you don’t make frozen berries with blueberries, they won’t stay good for two weeks. Learning to make frozen blueberries is worthwhile because the process is very simple. A freezer, a baking sheet with a rim, and parchment paper are all you need.
- After two weeks in the fridge, blueberries lose their freshness.
- For up to three months, blueberries can be frozen.
Before developing freezer burn, frozen blueberries can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Fresh fruit and frozen fruit can both be equally healthy. It is a great way to store fruit if you can’t use all the fruit by its refrigeration shelf life.
Can Blueberries Go Bad?
If proper care is not given to them, blueberries can go rotten. The most crucial thing to remember is not to wash them before storing them if you don’t want them to spoil. When kept in the refrigerator, blueberries have a shelf life of up to two weeks. Here, we’ve provided spoiling warnings and instructions for storing blueberries for longer.
How to Store Fresh Blueberries to Increase their Shelf Life?
Wait if you’re going to wash the fresh blueberries you bought from the store to maintain hygiene. Since blueberries are a very delicate fruit, washing them will make them hard, and the additional moisture will ruin and make them unhealthy to eat.
Blueberries should be removed from the container if they are moldy or improperly ripped to preserve the fruit for longer. Make sure to check the container you plan to store the blueberries in and keep any growing stems or debris out of it. But you do not need to select an airtight container.
By carefully choosing the best blueberries, you can easily preserve the fresh blueberries you brought home from the store by following these instructions.
Is a Little Mold on Blueberries Harmful?
Immediately discard any rotten blueberries. Eating mold poses a risk because it can make you sick or trigger a severe allergic reaction. Mold symptoms always indicate poor berries. So is harmful to eat rotting berries, so you should never do it.
- Immediately discard any blueberries that have mold that is actively growing on them.
- Consuming mold spores can be hazardous in any amount.
- If they aren’t developing mold, other blueberries close to the rotting blueberries should be okay.
Even if there is mold, not all the blueberries in the container are contaminated. Only those blueberries that have mold growing on them must be discarded. The remaining berries are fine to eat once you discard the rotten ones.
How Long will Thawed Blueberries Last in the Fridge?
Fresh blueberries keep better than thawed berries. Blueberries that have been thawed from frozen only keep for one week in the fridge. A week is an optimistic estimate, so you’ll want to use them as soon as possible.
- Blueberries that have been thawed can only be stored in the fridge for one week.
- Blueberries’ skin breaks down slightly when frozen, hastening their deterioration once they are thawed.
- Blueberries’ water content crystallizes into ice when they are frozen.
The blueberry skin is split by these crystals, which boosts aeration. As a result, blueberries spoil more quickly. As a result, once frozen blueberries have thawed, you should usually use them as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Blueberries can be eaten as a tasty and healthy fruit for breakfast, snacks, or desserts.
A year-round fruit, blueberries can be kept for up to 7 days in the refrigerator if consumed before they become overripe.
Additionally, as they exhale gases that hasten food deterioration, keeping them away from other meals is best.
Because it keeps for so much longer than fresh fruit, blueberry jam is fantastic.
If you want your berries to stay even longer, freeze them. Use clean jars with lids between batches to prevent infection.
