How to tell if blackberries are bad? (3 Ways to tell)
In this article, we will answer the question “How to tell if blackberries are bad?”, and how to store blackberries to keep them fresh for longer?
How to tell if blackberries are bad?
You can tell if blackberries have gone bad by their change in color and texture. Blackberries that are spoiled/bad are soft, mushy, and give off an off smell. They will taste sour and may develop mold growth. Discard blackberries immediately if you see any of these signs:
- Mold growing on blackberries is an obvious sign of spoilage. This appears like white or green webs or spores.
- If the berries feel sticky or slimy upon touching, discard them. Moreover, if the bulbs are squished and the juice is oozing out of the berries, they are bad and should not be eaten.
- Give your berries a whiff. If they give off a sour smell, throw them away.
How long do blackberries last?
At room temperature, blackberries are safe to consume within a day or two. They are rich in moisture, because of which they are an ideal place for molds and bacteria to grow. For best quality and taste, avoid washing them if you don’t plan on consuming them immediately after it. Blackberries should be kept refrigerated to make them last longer.
How long do blackberries last in the fridge?
When stored in the fridge, blackberries can last for 2 – 3 days. Blackberries should not be washed unless they’re ready for use because it increases the moisture content and reduces their shelf life. Store the blackberries in a porous container to avoid moisture accumulation and the growth of mold.
Buying blackberries
To keep the blackberries last for longer, buy the freshest berries with a full plump. If you are buying frozen, check the expiry date. To buy fresh berries, check for the uniform blue-black color, plump, and firm texture.
To get prime quality blackberries, head to the farmer’s market. Farmer’s market sells the fruits that have been harvested 1 or 2 days earlier, hence, they are at their fershest.
How to store blackberries?
Treat them like strawberries and as soon as you get home, search for the damaged berries and remove them from the rest of the fruit. This practice stops the spread of spoilage. After removing the damaged, squished, and moldy berries, wash the rest of the berries if you are going to consume them right away.
If you want to freeze them, dry them after washing. If the berries will be used up within a day, room temperature storage is fine. Otherwise, store them in the fridge by keeping the following things in mind.
Use well-vented containers
Store the berries in their original vented clamshells. If you do not have that, make sure the container used for storing berries has holes to let the fruit breathe. If not, keep the lid open from the corner for air-circulation.
Use paper towels to soak up excess moisture
Before putting the berries in the container, line it with some paper towels. This step is optional for short-term storage but is very helpful if you want to keep the berries for about 4-5 days.
Protect the berries against crushing
Do not stack any other item on top of the clamshell container of the berries. The berries will squish under pressure. Moreover, do not overcrowd the storage bags, or else the berries will become mushy.
How to freeze blackberries?
Dry frozen blackberries last quite a long time. This storage method is particularly helpful if you bought the berries in bulk and need to store them for months. Follow the instructions below to freeze-dry your blackberries the right way.
Washing and drying
After washing the berries properly, spread them on paper towels for at least 15 minutes. After about 15-30 minutes, pat them dry using paper towels. This step will remove the excess moisture from the surface of the berries.
Flash freezing
Spread the berries on a baking tray or sheet evenly so that they do not touch each other. Line the baking tray with parchment or wax paper. This is optional. Slide the tray into the freezer and let the berries freeze until solid. Flash-frozen berries won’t stick together.
Storing
Once the frozen berries are rock solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. Squeeze out maximum air from the bag. Use a straw to suck all the air out. Label the bag and put it in the freezer.
The berries will stay fresh for 6-8 months. They won’t be as fresh as new after 8 months but they will be safe to eat with reasonable quality. Do not defrost if the blackberries are to be blended in a smoothie or used in cooking.
For thawing blackberries, the best practice is to leave them in the fridge overnight. If you are in a hurry, dip the freezer bag in lukewarm water until the berries have thawed.
How long do blackberries last?
Blackberries will keep fresh on the countertop for 1-2 days while they can last a week in the fridge. Use the refrigerated berries within 3-5 days for peak quality.
How to eat blackberries?
- Blackberries to yogurt are like avocado on toast. Besides mixing berries with yogurt is the perfect way to make flavored yogurt.
- Top your tapioca or cereal, add to your smoothies or milk-shakes. Make blackberry sauce, or add to your frozen dessert.
Other FAQs about Black berries that you may be interested in.
How fast do blackberry bushes grow?
How long are blackberries good for?
Can you eat blackberries whole? (+3 health risks)
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How to tell if blackberries are bad?”, and how to store blackberries to keep them fresh for longer?
References
Do Blackberries Go Bad?
