Last Updated on January 2, 2023
Blueberries are one of the most delicious and healthy fruits, making them a popular choice. If you have blueberries in your fridge, you will want to know how to tell if blueberries are bad. To keep them fresh for as long as possible, it is important to properly store them.
Blueberries not only taste great on their own, but also in muffins, bread, cakes, pies, pancakes, and cheesecakes. Though their peak season is in summer, you will likely be able to find them year-round in the grocery store. However, once you buy them you only have a limited time to eat them while they are still fresh.
How Long Do Blueberries Last?
How long are blueberries good for depends greatly on how they are stored. Blueberries are highly perishable, so they will generally only last 7-14 days in the fridge.
They can be kept at room temperature on the counter for one day, however, any longer than that and they will begin to go bad. They are sensitive to temperature, so avoid keeping them on your counter if your house is warm.
How to tell if blueberry is bad
There are many different ways to tell if your blueberries have gone bad. If your blueberries are mushy, soft, or discolored, it is best to just toss them out. If there is any mold on them, if they are slimy or have an off smell or taste, you will want to get rid of them.
Remove any moldy blueberries from the container as soon as you see them, as the mold can spread quickly. In addition, if you notice that your blueberries are leaking juices, it may be a sign that they are going bad, so it is best to just get rid of them.
How To Properly Store Them
It is vital that you properly store blueberries to keep them fresh for as long as possible. Store your blueberries in the fridge so they are in a cool environment away from heat and humidity. Though you can keep them in the container they came in, you can also store them in a plastic container with ventilation or a produce bag.
Having a container with ventilation as air circulation will help keep them fresh. In addition, adding a paper towel to the container can help absorb any excess moisture.
You can store them in an airtight plastic or glass container, but it is best to have some air holes in the container. Avoid storing them in metal containers as this may affect their flavor.
You will want to avoid storing them in the crisper or the coldest part of the fridge, as the humidity levels are higher in these areas. Before storing them, be sure to check for any bad berries to prevent contamination.
Though it is important to wash your fruit before eating it, wait to wash it until you are ready to eat it. Too much moisture can cause your blueberries to go bad quickly. Moisture can cause bacteria and mold to grow on your blueberries, especially if there isn’t enough air circulation.
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Can you freeze blueberries?
Freezing blueberries is a great way to store them if you won’t be able to eat them all before they go bad or want to have them on hand all year round. They can last for six to eight months in the freezer when properly stored. They freeze well and can be eaten as a snack or added to different foods.
Before you freeze them, wash them with cold water and then pat them dry with a paper towel. It is important to dry them off thoroughly.
To freeze your blueberries, place them in a single layer on a baking tray and then place that tray in the fridge. Allow the berries to freeze for two hours and then remove the berries from the fridge. Please place them in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container and return them to the freezer.
For some recipes, such as smoothies or milkshakes, you can add the blueberries in while they are still frozen. You can also eat frozen blueberries as a snack or let them thaw at room temperature for half an hour to an hour.
Health Benefits
Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits you can buy at supermarkets. They are easy to incorporate into your diet as they have a sweet and tasty flavor.
They are low-calorie food that is packed full of beneficial nutrients. These delicious berries contain lots of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.
Blueberries are also one of the best food to get antioxidants from. They have the highest antioxidant levels of all commonly grown fruits and vegetables.
They are even able to help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, maintain brain function, improve memory and potentially protect against aging in cancer. In addition, scientists also think that they can help fight urinary tract infections and help reduce muscle stress after intense workouts.
What to do With Blueberries About to go Bad?
If your blueberries are starting to go bad, you may want to throw them away, but there are actually plenty of ways to use up your softer blueberries. Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for using up leftover blueberries.
- Freeze them. Freezing them is the quickest, easiest way to use them. You can freeze them for around 1-2 months and just take them out to add to smoothies or juices. You can even make blueberry ice cubes with them and add them to your water or iced tea to make your cold drinks more exciting.
- Baking. While they may not taste good, they’ll work perfectly in many baking recipes. Blueberry muffins are one of the tastiest options when it comes to baked goods and softer blueberries are delicious in them. They’d also be perfect in cakes, pies, or cookies too.
- Cooking. While you may think that you can only bake with blueberries, that is definitely not the case. You can make condiments or sauces from your leftover blueberries, or you could even add them to recipes such as pancakes or barbecue and blueberry glazed ribs (one of my go-to recipes!).
Does Blueberry Juice Go Bad?
Of course. All fruit juice will spoil if given the right amount of time. Typically, fresh juice will last around 3 days when chilled in the refrigerator. However, you can also store it in the freezer where it will last around a year. When juice goes bad, it often has a sour smell and you can tell almost instantly without having to taste it. You can also try making your own blueberry juice at home. This way, it’ll last around 3 months in a cool, dry place before it’s been opened. To make this juice, you’ll need 1kg of blueberries, 500g of sugar, 1 1/2 liters of water, and the juice of one lemon.
- To make your homemade blueberry juice, clean your blueberries and add them to a pan with water.
- Leave to cook for around 2 hours on low heat.
- Add more water throughout, if needed.
- Now add the blueberries to a blender and blitz until smooth.
- Pour back into your pan, along with the lemon and sugar, and let boil for around 10 minutes, stirring throughout.
- Now pour the juice into clean bottles.
- You’ll now need to pasteurize. Place your bottles (preferably Quattro Stagioni) into a pot and cover them with water and bring to a boil.
- Now heat for around 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and store in a cool, dry place.
- Once opened, they’ll last around 3 days in the refrigerator.
What Do Rotten Blueberries Taste Like?
The more rotten that blueberries turn, the softer they become. They’ll usually be mushy and difficult to pick up without staining your hands; they’ll often just disintegrate in your mouth. They’ll also have a sour flavor that is far less pleasant than the usual sweet flavor you get from blueberries.
Can Frozen Blueberries Get Moldy?
If frozen blueberries are not stored correctly, they can absolutely go moldy. For best results, blueberries should be stored in an airtight container, such as a freezer bag. You’ll usually be able to notice mold spores growing before you thaw the fruit. However, sometimes the signs of spoilage do not show until the fruit has completely thawed. Always check your thawed fruit before consuming it.
Can You Cook Moldy Blueberries?
Absolutely not. If your blueberries are only just starting to show signs they’re past their best-by date (such as going slightly soft), it’s completely safe to cook them. However, if they’re showing signs of mold or have become completely mushy, you should not add them to any of your cooking and they should not be consumed. It’s always best to discard any moldy blueberries that you may have.
How To Tell If Blueberries Are Bad And The Benefits Of This Tasty Fruit
Though blueberries are one of the most popular and healthy fruit, they do not have a long shelf life. If you notice that they are moldy, mushy, soft, discolored, or have an off taste or smell, you will want to throw them away. Be sure to check your blueberries as soon as you buy them and remove any bad berries to prevent contamination of the good ones.
To keep your blueberries as fresh as possible for the longest, store them in the fridge in a container with small air holes to allow for ventilation. In addition, putting a paper towel in the container can help absorb moisture. Be sure to wait to wash them until right before you plan to eat them or bake with them.
Do you have any questions regarding how to tell if blueberries are bad? If so, please ask any questions regarding the freshness of blueberries and how to properly store them in the comment section below.
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Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
