I love blueberries but the fresh blueberry season is short. While the blueberries are plentiful, take time to freeze blueberries with these simple steps.
Learn how to freeze blueberries so you can enjoy these anti oxidant rich fruits all year long. Be sure to freeze enough blueberries that you can make my favorite lemon blueberry bread. Such a delicious flavor combinations.
When is blueberry picking season?
Depending on your geographic location, blueberry picking season can begin as early as April in Florida and go as late as September in Washington state. But the blueberry picking season is only a few months. Be sure to check out PickYourOwn.org for more information on when blueberries could be ripe in your state.
How to you know a blueberry is ripe for picking?
When picking fresh blueberries, look for plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue almost grey color. A blueberry with a blush of red isn’t fully ripened. Do not pick white or green blueberries because they will not ripen after they are picked. You are just taking blueberries that would be ripe for another day. But keep in mind, blueberries that have already turned purple, blue-grey usually ripen after they are picked when they are kept at room temperature.
What is the best way to pick a blueberry?
I found the easiest and fastest way to pick blueberries them is hold your bucket under a ripe bunch in one hand (or have a kid hold the bucket) and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently massage them off the stem them with your fingers. The ripe blueberries will drop into your bucket with just a touch and the underripe ones will remain attached to the bush.
How long can you freeze blueberries?
Frozen blueberries can be be kept frozen for 6 months to a year. The less air that comes in contact with the frozen blueberry, the longer the berries will keep. This is why I will vacum seal my blueberries instead of packing them in zip top bags.
Should you rinse frozen blueberries?
Yes, you should always rinse frozen blueberries. In theory, you did not wash the blueberries before freezing them so a quick swish in cold water should remove any dirt that may be on them.
Are frozen blueberries good for you?
A serving size of frozen blueberries is equivalent to one cup, or 140 grams. Each cup has 80 calories, 0 fat, cholesterol or sodium. A up of frozen blueberries also contains 5 grams of dietary fiber, 19 grams of total carbohydrates, and 1 gram of protein. Blueberries are known for their antioxidants used in the fight against aging, cancer and heart disease.
How To Freeze Blueberries:
- DON’T wash them. The water will freeze on the blueberries and they will be a sloppy mess when you defrost them. If you feel the need to clean them rub gently between a clean dry dish towel.
- Spread fresh blueberries on a cookie tray, preferably one with sides. Make sure the blueberries are in a single layer.
- Freeze till firm or over night
- Measure out a portion. I choose to do a 2 cup portion. I find that is what is called for in a lot of recipes. Plus that is what I need when I make blueberry pancakes!
- I have a seal and vac system so that is what I use. You can use freezer storage bags or boxes.
- Be sure to label them with the portion as well as the date.
Why do you freeze blueberries in a single layer?
The point of spreading them on a cookie sheet and freezing them is so that the blueberries don’t become one big frozen block. By spreading them out in one layer the blueberries freeze individually verses freezing them in a mass.
How To Freeze Blueberries
I love blueberries but the fresh blueberry season is short. While the blueberries are plentiful, take time to freeze blueberries with these simple steps. Learn how to freeze blueberries so you can enjoy these anti oxidant rich fruits all year long.
Materials
- Freshly picked blueberries
Instructions
- DON'T wash them. The water will freeze on the blueberries and they will be a sloppy mess when you defrost them. If you feel the need to clean them rub gently between a clean dry dish towel.
- Spread fresh blueberries on a cookie tray, preferably one with sides. Make sure the blueberries are in a single layer.
- Freeze till firm or over night
- Measure out a portion. I choose to do a 2 cup portion. I find that is what is called for in a lot of recipes. Plus that is what I need when I make blueberry pancakes!
- I have a seal and vac system so that is what I use. You can use freezer storage bags or boxes.
- Be sure to label them with the portion as well as the date
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