Blueberries have a tendency to go mouldy quickly, but a simple storage tip could help keep them fresh for longer. Blueberry season began in May, and more shoppers are buying these juicy berries for breakfasts, gatherings, or desserts. They become more affordable, but you waste money if you discard them due to mould.
Why Blueberries Spoil Quickly
It may seem unexpected, but blueberries spoil faster in their original plastic containers, which encourage condensation. Berries contain significant water content that evaporates during storage. When moist air hits a cold surface, condensation forms, creating tiny water droplets that hasten mould development.
Cookbook author and founder of Tried, Tested, and True, Lisa Childs, shared a straightforward technique for storing blueberries properly to prolong freshness, requiring only paper towels.
The Simple Storage Method
Lisa explained: "Because the original berry containers are vented, berries stored in them will not last quite as long. To make your berries stay fresh longer, store them in a large, shallow container with an airtight lid, lined with paper towels."
Blueberries are packaged in plastic containers with holes to maintain freshness during transport by allowing airflow. However, refrigerators are humid, and stationary blueberries gather moisture in their packaging, leading to mould. Paper towels absorb condensation inside the container, keeping the fruit dry.
Using an airtight food container, glass mason jars, or even takeaway trays works well, as it prevents stacking and limits moisture accumulation.
How to Keep Berries Fresh for Longer
First, choose the best blueberries at the supermarket. Select those at the rear of the display and avoid dark or withered ones. After returning home, wash them under the tap to eliminate bacteria, then spread them on a generous layer of paper towels. Place extra paper towels inside an airtight container before adding the blueberries.
Keep the blueberries in the fridge, ensuring they are fully dry, as surplus moisture encourages mould. Your blueberries should stay fresh for at least a week longer, and some have found this method prolongs shelf life by up to three weeks.
