Blueberries can remain juicy and firm for up to eight weeks if washed with a simple vinegar solution, according to food storage expert Amy Cross. The method, shared on her Instagram page @thecrosslegacy, involves soaking the berries in a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar.
Cross recommends filling a large bowl with water, adding the blueberries, and mixing in a quarter cup of 5% distilled white vinegar. The berries should soak for two minutes before being drained in a colander and rinsed briefly to remove any debris.
After rinsing, the blueberries must be laid out in a single layer on a cloth towel and left to dry for several hours until completely dry. Once dry, they can be stored in mason jars with a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture, then placed in the fridge.
Cross claims that when stored correctly, blueberries are “one of the longest-lasting berries” and can stay fresh for six to eight weeks. The vinegar wash helps remove pesticide residues, dirt, and bacteria that plain water may leave behind.
