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Blueberry time

By Angie Monk, Wood County Extension Agent
Posted 7/30/20

Did You Know:

Blueberries are one of only a few fruits native to North America?

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Blueberry time

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Did You Know:

  • Blueberries are one of only a few fruits native to North America?
  • July is National Blueberry Month in the United States?
  • Blueberry muffins are the most popular muffin in the United States?
  • One cup of blueberries has only 80 calories? And they are an excellent source of Vitamin K and a good source of Vitamin C.

Freezing Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to freeze, but may also be canned, made into jam, jelly or syrups.  

Selection Guidelines

  • Select plump, firm blueberries with a light silvery bloom.
  • Blueberries need to be fully ripe; unripe berries (ones that are white or green) do not become sweeter after they are picked. Ripe blueberries have a light blue to blue-black color. Red or green berries tend to have a sour flavor.

Preparation – Treat Blueberries Gently

  • Blueberries are delicate.
  • Examine the berries carefully and remove squashed, diseased or moldy berries.
  • Do not wash fresh blueberries until you are ready to use them. They will spoil quickly if they are refrigerated while wet.

Freezing Blueberries

  • Because moisture on the surface of a frozen berry toughens the skin, it is recommended to freeze blueberries without washing.
  • To freeze blueberries, spread dry berries on a flat tray and place in the freezer. Once hard, transfer the frozen berries to any closed container or freezer bag.
  • It is best to freeze only the amount that will be used within one year. Properly frozen berries will be safe to use for longer periods of time, but signs of quality deterioration such as freezer burn and texture changes will begin to show.