Do Blueberries Need To Be Refrigerated? 3 Helpful Tips

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Last Updated on February 22, 2023

Blueberries are one of the most popular fruits. If you are a fan of this fruit, you might wonder ‘do blueberries need to be refrigerated?’ They are great to eat on their own or add to different foods such as pancakes, muffins, cake, and smoothies.

Blueberries are a delicate type of fruit that when not properly stored can easily become perishable. They can become mushy and even moldy if they are not stored correctly. However, with the proper storage, they will be able to last a couple of weeks.

How to Store Blueberries: Do Blueberries Need to Be Refrigerated? 

Properly storing blueberries is important to enjoying them at their best quality. Blueberries are one of the most delicious fruits, however, they can easily lose their quality. So, do blueberries need to be refrigerated?

Whether you buy your blueberries at a store, a farmer’s market, or grow them yourselves, you need to take proper care of them once they are picked. Unlike other fruits like apples, blueberries have a relatively short shelf life. This is why proper storage is vital to keep your blueberries tasting delicious for as long as possible.

1. Fridge

To keep them fresh for as long as possible, the best way to store blueberries is in the fridge. Storing them in the fridge will help prevent the berries from developing mold or going mushy.

Blueberries should be stored in a container while in the fridge to help keep them fresh. Mesh produce bags are another great way to store your blueberries. They will help keep them fresh for even longer than plastic containers do.

If you are storing your blueberries in an airtight container, opt for a breathable container. Using a breathable container or mesh produce bags allows for better circulation which helps keep the berries crisp. Using an airtight container can trap moisture, leading to bacteria growing on the berries.

2. Freezer

Blueberries are delicate and once they are picked, they won’t be able to last very long at room temperature. In addition to keeping blueberries in the fridge, you can also freeze them as well. Freezing them is a great option if you like adding blueberries to smoothies.

3. Room Temperature 

While the best way to store blueberries is in the fridge, can blueberries stay out of the fridge? The answer is yes, but is only for a very short time frame. Ideally, you don’t want to keep your blueberries out of the fridge for more than a couple of hours. 

Blueberries can only be kept at room temperature if you plan to eat them the same day. After a day at room temperature, they will begin to decline in quality and will no longer be good to eat. If storing at room temperature for a day, be sure to keep them in a cool, dry location away from heat and humidity. 

Click here to Know If You Can Freeze Petit Fours

How Long do Blueberries Last?

At room temperature, blueberries will only last for about one day. After that, you will notice they will begin to wilt and lose their desirable texture.

How long can blueberries last in the fridge?

Storing your blueberries in the fridge is always the best option. In the fridge, they will last for around 10 days in a breathable container. If stored in a mesh produce bag, they can last for up to two weeks.

For best results, don’t store your blueberries in the crisper drawer as they need optimal air flow in order to stay fresh for longer. To help achieve this, you also want to avoid storing them in an airtight container. Blueberries are best enjoyed within the first couple of days of purchasing. 

To help your blueberries stay fresh for longer, add a paper towel to the storage container or mesh bag. This will help absorb any moisture and help your blueberries from going mushy. 

Freezing blueberries

In addition, you may freeze your blueberries for six to 10 months. For best results, lay the blueberries flat on a tray and place them in the fridge for one hour to let them freeze. Then, you can put them in a Ziploc bag and return them to the fridge.

You can also freeze your blueberries in the container they came in. This is a better option if you plan to freeze them for only a short period.

The Best Way to Store Blueberries

The best way to store blueberries is to place them in a breathable storage container, such as one specialized for fruit storage. Place the blueberries in the fridge once you get home from the grocery store.

Before storing your blueberries, be sure to get rid of any mushy, moldy, or leaky berries. Getting rid of berries that have gone bad will help keep the other berries fresher for longer. Remove any excess moisture on the blueberries and if your fridge tends to get humid, add a paper towel to the container. 

How to Tell if Your Blueberries Are Still Good

Like most fruits, blueberries can go bad quickly. Even with proper storage, they don’t always last that long. However, proper storage in the fridge is the best way to keep them good.

Good blueberries should be firm to the touch with a nice blue color. It is alright if they are slightly soft, though they may not taste as good.

If the blueberries are soft and mushy with discoloration, the blueberries should be disregarded. In addition, if there is any sign of mold, you should throw them out right away.

Before you eat your blueberries, you should always wash them. Ideally, you should wait to wash your blueberries until right before you eat them. Additional moisture can cause blueberries to go bad quicker than normal.

If you are using your blueberries for baking, pat them dry before adding them to your recipe. The additional moisture from washing them can mess up the texture of your baked goods.

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Using Fresh vs Frozen Blueberries

Both fresh and frozen blueberries are great. Though most people enjoy eating fresh blueberries, some love snacking on them when they are frozen.

Since blueberries aren’t in season year-round, having frozen ones on hand is great for baking. Typically, they are in season from May to August. However, you can find frozen blueberries available all year in stores or even freeze your own as well.

When using frozen blueberries, you don’t need to thaw them first if you are adding them to muffins, pies, cakes, or smoothies. However, if you are making pancakes, it is best to thaw your blueberries first.

If you are using your frozen blueberries to simply eat them, you can enjoy them frozen or thaw them. To thaw your blueberries, place them in the fridge overnight or for two to three hours. 

Once thawed, your blueberries will likely only last for two to three days in the fridge. Store them in a breathable container for the best results. 

The Best Blueberry Recipes 

While blueberries taste amazing by themselves, there are many great recipes you can add blueberries to. Blueberries taste great in cakes, cookies, cupcakes, scones, and muffins. They taste particularly great with lemon, so add a lemon glaze or frosting to your blueberry dessert for an irresistible treat. 

Blueberries also taste great in pancakes, waffles, pies, bars, cheesecakes, pastries, cobblers, and more. You can also use blueberries to make sauces and jams which will taste great on a variety of foods.

Blueberries also make a great addition to any smoothie. In addition, they are also great for adding to sangrias and cocktails as they add a nice flavor.

Just like with eating on their own, be sure to wash your blueberries before using them in recipes. After washing them, pat them dry to remove any excess moisture which could affect your recipes.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Not only are blueberries delicious, but they are one of the most healthy fruits. They are low in calories while being packed full of nutrients. Oftentimes they are referred to as a “superfood” due to the many health benefits they possess.

Blueberries are full of antioxidants. They possess one of the highest antioxidant levels out of all fruits and vegetables.

These tasty little berries can even help to lower your blood pressure too. They can also help prevent heart disease, giving you a healthy heart. In addition, they can also help maintain brain function and even improve memory.

They can even help people manage diabetes. They are also beneficial for your skin and can even help prevent cancer. Blueberries are a great way to get vitamin C as they have 24% of the daily recommended value.

Do Blueberries Need to be Refrigerated? Fresh, Delicious, and Healthy Blueberries

If you are a fruit lover, you will want to know how to store fresh blueberries. Your blueberries should be kept in a breathable container or mesh produce bag in the fridge. By storing them in the fridge, they will stay fresh for up to 10-14 days. In addition, you may also freeze your blueberries as well. They can be frozen in the container they come on or in a plastic bag for up to ten months. Freezing blueberries is a great way to keep them on hand all year long. They are great for baking or even snacking.

Fresh blueberries should always be washed before eating or baking. When baking, be sure to pat them dry after washing. It is best to wait to wash them until right before using them to keep the moisture levels down when storing them.

Do you have any questions about do blueberries need to be refrigerated? If so, please ask any questions about proper blueberry storage in the comment section below.

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