Blueberries are a tasty summer treat. A fun activity is to go and pick some yourself. It is a great way to spend the day with friends and family. In order to get the most out of your day and the blueberries here are some tips to keep in mind while picking and later storing all of those fresh blueberries you picked.
Blueberry Picking Tips
- Choose only the berries that are completely blue with no hint of red. Blueberries do not continue to ripen after they have been picked.
- Avoid any blueberries that are soft, moldy, or watery. A container that is stained of leaking are signs of berries that are past prime. The shimmery silver coating on the blueberries is a good thing as it is their natural protection.
- Do not wash the blueberries until you are ready to eat them. This is because water on the berries will cause deterioration to occur faster.
- Keep the freshly picked blueberries in the refrigerator and in a rigid container that is covered with plastic wrap. By taking these steps the blueberries should keep for about two weeks.
- Consider freezing some blueberries for longer term storage. Blueberries are great for freezing, since they keep the majority of their nutritional value. Just do not wash them before hand as this will cause the skins to become tough. What you should do is rinse after thawing and before eating. In a freezer that is set at 0 degrees farenheit the blueberries should keep for about a year.
Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants and make a great addition to morning yogurt shakes or cereals.
~ Megin K for vtliving.com
© 2012 
