Blueberries

Look for blueberries that:

• Are in season
• Have a dusty gray-blue bloom
• Are deep blue to purple
• Appear plump, firm, and dry
• Have a lovely, fragrant smell

Blueberries, like most berries, do not ripen further after they are picked and are at their best when they are in season. Season varies by region. A dusty gray-blue bloom on blueberries indicates that they probably were picked within the past seven to ten days and are therefore fresh. Blueberries that are wrinkled are most likely not fresh, and soft or wet blueberries can spoil quickly. Use fresh blueberries within seven days of purchase, or freeze for future consumption.

As long as they are deep blue to purple, blueberries do not need to perfectly meet all the criteria above to be edible or usable in a recipe. The closer they are to meeting these guidelines, however, the higher their quality should be.

Notes

Allow one-half to one cup of blueberries per person served. One pint typically contains two cups.

It’s important to note that you should not wash or rinse your blueberries until you’re ready to use them. The skin of a blueberry can absorb liquids, leading to damage, mold, and spoilage.

When you get your blueberries home

Store blueberries unwashed in the refrigerator for up to seven days, or up to two days at room temperature. Freshly picked blueberries, which can still be warm from the sun, should be left out in an open storage container until they reach room temperature to avoid condensation in the container once the berries are refrigerated.

To freeze, place unwashed berries on a rimmed cookie sheet in the freezer for several hours or overnight. Transfer frozen berries to a freezer bag (removing as much air as possible) or other freezer container, seal, and return to the freezer for up to twelve months. Rinse before eating.