How long do frozen blueberries last once thawed?
In this article, we will answer the question “How long do frozen blueberries last once thawed?”, and how to spot bad blueberries?
How long do frozen blueberries last once thawed?
Frozen blueberries that were thawed in the fridge can be kept refrigerated for additional 2 days. However, blueberries thawed on the counter should be used right away.
Can out-of-date blueberries make you sick?
Yes, eating out-of-date blueberries can make you sick. Out-of-date blueberries have an unpleasant taste, an undesirable texture, and lack nutrition. Moreover, they trigger allergic reactions in individuals. If the blueberries are moldy, they lead to food poisoning and respiratory problems.
How long do blueberries last?
| Counter | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
| Fresh whole blueberries | 2-3 days | 5-10 days | 6-8 months |
How to tell If the blueberries have gone bad?
Leaking juices
Squishy blueberries whose juice is oozing out from the damaged spots have gone bad, discard such berries immediately.
Mold growth
White, green, or any other colored mold growing on the berries is an obvious sign of spoilage. Immediately discard such berries because mold on berries spreads like wildfire.
Texture and softness
Mushy, overly soft, wrinkled, or dehydrated berries have gone bad, get rid of them right away.
Foul smell
If the berries give off a foul or rotten smell, throw them in the bin. If you manage to isolate some healthy berries, dip and rinse the berries in vinegar and water solution to thoroughly clean them of any spoilage microbes and decayed debris.
Undesirable taste
If the berries are past their expiry or best-by and there are no visual signs of spoilage but you are unsure whether you should discard or consume them, your best bet is to taste them. This works well for dried berries as well. If the taste is off, feel free to discard them without guilt.
Frozen spoilage
Freezer burn degrades the quality of the blueberries to a great extent. Spoilage after the burn is rapid. Blueberries with freezer burn or discolored patches are not unsafe for consumption but they won’t taste the same. It is your call to whether to toss them or consume them before they are really bad.
How to store blueberries?
Do not wash them before storing them
Blueberries are quite perishable and moisture is the enemy of their keeping quality. It is because moisture supports the growth of fungus which rapidly spreads and spoils berries. Therefore, always with the blueberries right before consuming them.
Moreover, washing and rinsing also stip the berries off of their protective bloom, which prevents the berries from moisture loss and decay.
Check the batch properly before storage
Remove the bitter stems of the blueberries before storage. Moreover, remove the rotten berries so that they don’t contaminate and spoil the whole lot during storage.
Refrigerate the blueberries
If the blueberries aren’t to be consumed within a few days of purchase, store them in the fridge. For storage, put them in food storage or any other air-tight container lined with 2-3 good quality paper towels.
Freeez the blueberries If they are overripe
If the blueberries are overripe or you bought a large quantity freshly off the farmer’s market, freeze them for extended storage.
Dry the blueberries
Dried blueberries last longer, are absolutely delicious, and make for excellent snack food. Blueberries can be easily dried using a dehydrator or in an oven. First, they are boiled to peel off their skin.
Next, spread the berries on a baking tray and keep them in the oven at 140 ºC for about 4 hours. Stir the blueberries after every 30 minutes. Once the berries are dried and cooled down, transfer them to an air-tight container.
Wash with vinegar
Rinsing the blueberries in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 part water will remove the spoilage microbes from the surface and prevent the mold from growing.
It will make the berries last longer. To remove the vinegar, give the blueberries a final rinse with clean potable water.
Can you freeze blueberries?
If stored correctly in the freezer, blueberries will easily last 6 months and up to a year. Start by thoroughly washing the blueberries with clean potable water. Pat dry the berries with paper towels. Then spread them in a single layer onto a baking tray or sheet.
Slide the tray into the freezer and let the berries pre-freeze for about 2-3 hours or until the blueberries are frozen solid.
Transfer the frozen blueberries to a high-quality resealable or zip-lock bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag. All the bag and chuck it into the freezer.
Frozen blueberries can be blended easily to make shakes and smoothies. If they are to be used in baking, wash them so that they do not leak too much juice into the batter.
Other FAQs about Blueberries that you may be interested in.
How long are blueberries good in the fridge?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long do frozen blueberries last once thawed?”, and how to spot bad blueberries?
References
Blueberries
