Have you ever purchased frozen blueberries and been disappointed by both the taste and the shriveled up little berries that seem to always be at the bottom of the bag?
I have.
And, even though it is more convenient for me to buy a big bag of frozen blueberries, I like blueberries too much (and they are soooo good for you) to settle for a lower quality product.
I want, no, I need, the best possible blueberries for the same cost…or less.
Plus, I want to be able to enjoy them all year long, even though blueberry season only lasts for a few weeks.
Don’t Overlook This One Thing
A few years ago I began buying fresh blueberries from the local grocery store and U-pick farm. The quality was much better but, since blueberry season is so short, I knew that I would have to revert back to store-bought frozen ones unless I figured out how to get what I wanted.
That is when I decided to try freezing fresh blueberries.
After some trial and error, I found that the secret to keeping your fresh blueberries from shriveling up during the freezing process lies in when you wash them.
Easy Preparation Process
To enjoy the best tasting blueberries all year long (since blueberries will store well in your freezer for up to one year), simply do the following:
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Spread the blueberries across a paper towel
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Remove any stem tops and gently roll the berries around on the paper towels to remove any dirt or debris
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Lay a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet that has at least a half-inch edge around it
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Spread the blueberries across the cookie sheet until the sheet is full
- Place that cookie sheet in the freezer for 3 hours (to ensure that the blueberries will freeze individually instead of in one big clump)
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Transfer the blueberries to a freezer quart bag and write the date and the word, “blueberries,” on the front of the bag
Then, when you are ready to eat your blueberries, just follow these two steps:
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Rinse them under water in a colander (doing this step after you have frozen them allows the berries to hold their shape and not shrivel up)
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Store the blueberries in your refrigerator using a container with a drain dish in the bottom (to catch any water that falls)
Delicious Enough To Eat With Almost Anything
You can eat the blueberries on a variety of foods like yogurt or cereal. You can also use them in numerous recipes, such as for a cobbler or a margarita chicken. The blueberries will retain their shapes so well after freezing that you can even use them on your salads.
So, say goodbye to inferior store-bought frozen blueberries and treat yourself to the freshness and great taste of one of nature’s best fruits…for the same cost (or less if you pick your own!).
Have you ever frozen your own blueberries? Do you like the taste better than store-bought frozen blueberries?
