Summertime is berry time – and sometimes you just end up with one basket too many in the kitchen. Maybe you picked blueberries yourself or couldn’t resist them when you went to the market. But what do you do if you can’t finish the berries in time? To Mold and mushy spots freezing is a particularly effective method. Alternatively, blueberries can also be boiled down, dried or used directly in smoothies, muesli or baked goods.
Freeze blueberries: Fruit must be dry
Freezing blueberries is uncomplicated and preserves their fruity taste for many months. Proper preparation is important: wash the berries thoroughly and then allow them to dry well. Wet berries tend to form ice crystals when frozen – this can have a negative effect on the texture.
Lay the dry blueberries out side by side on a baking tray lined with baking paper and pre-freeze them for two to three hours. Due to the so-called Shock freezing the berries can later be removed individually from the freezer bag. After pre-freezing, you can transfer them to airtight freezer bags or stackable freezer tins. Blueberries will keep for up to a year at a constant -18 °C.
After defrosting, blueberries are slightly softer than fresh, but retain their flavor. They are ideal for baking recipes, compotes or smoothies.
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How to store blueberries optimally
If freezing is not an option, you can also store blueberries for a few days in the Refrigerator. It is best to store them flat on kitchen paper in an open container. This prevents excess moisture from sticking to the berries and keeps them fresh for up to seven days.
For a longer shelf life, it is also worth preserving them – for example to make jam or fruit spread. Another method is drying: the berries are dried in a dehydrator or oven at a low temperature to make a fruity-sweet snack with a long shelf life.
What happens to the nutrients when freezing?
When freezing, most of the valuable ingredients of the blueberries. Vitamins such as C and K as well as antioxidant plant substances survive the cold shock well – especially if the berries are processed fresh. A small proportion of the heat- or light-sensitive vitamins may be lost, but this loss is minimal.
Other fresh foods such as herbs, bananas or vegetables are excellent for freezing. Stocking up regularly not only saves money, but also reduces food waste in everyday life.
Checklist: Freezing blueberries made easy
- Prepare: Wash the blueberries thoroughly and leave to dry completely.
- Pre-freeze: Spread the berries individually on a tray and freeze for 2-3 hours.
- Pack airtight: Transfer to freezer bags or tins and seal well.
- Label: Note the freezing date on the packaging – maximum shelf life: 12 months.
- Use: Frozen for smoothies and yoghurt, defrosted for cakes, compote or porridge.
This article was partly produced with machine assistance and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.
