Maine Wild Blueberries - Maine Blueberry Picking
Fruit Picking Tips from the Pros - Pick Maine Blues Like an Expert. - Blueberry Tips For Blueberry Picking and Fresh Berry Storage

Some tips to keep in mind when going blueberry picking. Choose only the berries that are completely blue with no hint of red. This is because blueberries do not continue to ripen after they have been picked. The shimmery silver coating on the blueberries is a good thing as it is their natural protection. Avoid any blueberries that are soft, moldy, or watery. A container that is stained or leaking are signs of berries that are past their prime.

Once you have the blueberries at home there are a few things that can be done to keep them fresh longer. First, do not wash them until you are ready to eat them. This is because water on the berries will cause deterioration to occur faster. Keep them refrigerated and in a rigid container that is covered with plastic wrap. By taking these steps the fresh blueberries should keep for about two weeks.

Blueberries are also a great candidate for freezing, since they keep the majority of their nutritional value when properly frozen. Do not wash the blueberries freezing them. Or, if you do wash them before hand be sure the berries are dry before you put them in the freezer. Failure to do so will cause the skins to become tough. What you should do is rinse after thawing and before eating. In a freezer that is set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit the blueberries should keep for about a year.


~ Megin K for meliving.com

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