You’ve bought too many blackberries from the farmer’s market. You’re probably wondering how you can preserve them so they don’t spoil so quickly. Alternatively, you may already be aware that you have an abundance of blackberries on hand and are considering freezing them.
In this article, we’ll discuss some common ways to store blackberries. We’ll tell you whether blackberries can be refrigerated and how long they will last when refrigerated. So let’s get right into it.
Do Blackberries Need to be Refrigerated?
Blackberries follow the same storage recommendations as their cousins, raspberries, and strawberries. The first thing you should do when you arrive home with the berries is comb through them all and reject any that are rotten or broken. Microorganisms spread like wildfire in fruits like blackberries, and a couple of bad ones now may mean half of the box is finished by the next day.
Should you wash your blackberries now that you just have great blackberries? Well, you shouldn’t if you plan to store blackberries. The reason is that they won’t become soft if you store them after cleaning them. However, you can wash them with water if you intend to use them. Make sure that they are completely dry before using them.
Let’s discuss where you should put the berries. The countertop is fine if you plan to finish the entire kit in one day. However, if you require additional time, the refrigerator is the best option.
There are some things to keep in mind when storing them in the refrigerator:
- Make sure that the container you choose is well ventilated. If you’re going to use your own container, make sure it’s ventilated so the blackberries can air and the moisture can leave.
- Paper towels should be used to line the packaging. They’ll keep the berries safe from excess wetness on the bottom. This is an optional step that is only worthwhile if you plan to store the fruits for longer than four to five days.
- Blackberries should be protected from being smashed. These fruits are delicate and easily damaged. As a result, they require some form of protection, usually in a container.
How Can You Freeze Blackberries?
You’ve probably bought frozen blackberries before and know how well they freeze. There are several ways to freeze this fruit, some of which require more effort than others.
I’ll walk you through the most basic approach, dry freezing, which involves very little hands-on time.
To dry-freeze blackberries, follow these steps:
- Wash and dry the berries. Allow them to lie on paper towels for at least 15 to 30 minutes after draining the water. Pat them dry after that. This is critical because you want to freeze berries, not berries and water.
- Freeze the fruit quickly. Place the fruit on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and keep it there until it is completely firm.
- Fill containers with frozen blackberries. Because the berries are frozen, you may store them together and only pick a handful at a time. Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag before sealing it. Add a label with your name and the date if desired.
- Return the frozen berries to the freezer, packaged.
It’s preferable to utilize frozen blackberries within 6 to 8 months of purchase (RBFR), but they should keep their quality for even longer.
Thawing should be done overnight in the fridge or in lukewarm water if time is of the essence. If you’re making a smoothie with the blackberries or boiling them on the stove, you may skip the defrosting entirely.
How Long Can You Refrigerate Blackberries?
The fresher the blackberries, whether stored at room temperature or refrigerated, the longer they will last. Look for the following while selecting the freshest berries:
- Ripe fruits
- Berries that are completely dark and black-purple in hue.
- Berries that aren’t attached to their stems or crowns
The following are signs of decaying or unripe berries:
- Berries that are soft and mushy
- When the berries are touched, they release a lot of juice.
- Stems attached (the blackberries have been harvested too early)
- Parts that are red, white, or green
Blackberries should not be washed until they are ready to be eaten or frozen. Washing berries and then refrigerating them reduces the time it takes for them to deteriorate. To clean the berries, follow these steps:
- In a colander, place the berries.
- Pour cold water on the berries, turning them gently
- Using a paper towel, pat the berries dry.
- Eat or utilize them right away.
Blackberries can be frozen to extend their harvest, especially if you need to keep them for more than three days. The texture of thawed frozen blackberries will differ from that of fresh berries, but the flavor will be comparable. Sauces, jams, and smoothies can all be made with frozen berries.
How Long Will Blackberries Last?
When it comes to blackberries, how long do they last? The precise answer to that question is very dependent on storage conditions and how ripe the berries were when bought or picked; keep blackberries chilled at all times for best shelf life.
How Long Will Blackberries Last at Room Temperature?
At normal temperature, how long do blackberries last? Because blackberries are highly perishable and do not ripen after being picked, they should only be left out at room temperature if consumed the same day. Otherwise, they will go bad within a day or two.
Final Thoughts
Blackberries are a delicate fruit, and they need to be refrigerated if you plan to use them after a couple of days. If you leave them out in the open at room temperature, they will quickly go bad, and you’ll lost the money you spent on buying them.
Consider storing blackberries in a refrigerator if you plan to use them after a week or two. If it takes longer than that, then freeze the berries so that they last longer.
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