Summer is slowly coming to an end, which means the days are getting shorter, the weather is just a little colder, and many seasonal foods like blueberries will be going up in price. Blueberries are notorious for spoiling only a few days after buying them, as they are quite a sensitive fruit, but if you take five minutes to store them properly, then you can stock up on them.
Danielle, a cook and founder of Against All Grain, has shared that she has been buying blueberries in bulk for years to save money, and all you need to keep them fresh is vinegar. She said: "It's simple really: just give them a quick bath in a vinegar and water solution the moment you get them home, dry them, and place them in a clean container lined with paper towels.
"The vinegar helps to kill any mould that could cause them to spoil, and this method can make them last as long as 10 days in our house!"
Blueberries spoil quickly because they contain a lot of water, which slowly leaks out when they are stored in the fridge.
Any stagnant water creates the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which will cause them to become mouldy and fuzzy very quickly.
However, white vinegar, which is used in salad dressings, is naturally antibacterial and is often used to kill mould spores when people want to use eco-friendly cleaning methods.
White vinegar is a safe and natural way to kill bacteria on blueberry skin, and storing blueberries with paper towels will prevent moisture from building up in the storage area.
How to store blueberries properly to keep them fresh
To begin, fill a large bowl with water and add two tablespoons of white vinegar. If you have apple cider vinegar, then that is also fine to use.
Place the blueberries in the bowl, and let them soak in the solution for five to 10 minutes. Do not worry, they will not taste vinegary if they are sitting for less than 10 minutes.
Use a salad spinner to dry the blueberries or blot them dry with a clean tea towel. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them; otherwise, they will get mouldy.
Then, line a container with paper towels. Place lots of paper towels between each layer of blueberries, and make sure any lid stays lightly open to allow moisture to escape.
Put your blueberries in the fridge and watch as they stay juicy and flavourful for almost two weeks longer than they usually would.
