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Forms of Blueberries

Grab a boost of blue by the handful … or spoonful. Blueberries are simple, healthy and delicious in every form! Fresh and frozen, canned and freeze-dried, juice and puree. Consider all your blueberry snacking, cooking and baking needs met!

Which Blue Should You Choose?

While most blueberry enthusiasts are familiar with fresh and frozen, the other forms might be less familiar. It’s always a good time to get to know your favorite berry a bit better. Here are the blueberry basics for each of the most common forms – and where you can learn more.

Fresh Blueberries

Form

Fresh blueberries; a silvery bloom indicates freshness

How to Store

Refrigerate and rinse before use

Use Within

10 days

Hack

Put fresh blueberries in the freezer for later use!

How to Enjoy

Yogurt, cereal, oatmeal; salsas and sauces; green or grain salads; iced tea, lemonade, cocktails; parfaits, tarts, pies, cheesecakes; just by themselves!

Frozen Blueberries

Form

Frozen blueberries; rinsed and flash-frozen directly from the farm

Use Within

10 months

Hack

Swirl with milk for making “nice” cream

How to Enjoy

Smoothies; sauces; compotes, jams, chutneys; burgers; sorbets; pancakes, French toast, blintzes; baked dessert; or just by themselves!

Canned Blueberries

Form

Canned blueberries; preserved in sugar and water

How to Store

In a cool, dry place

Use Within

2 years

Hack

Enjoy on top of yogurt, or ice cream for a treat!

How to Enjoy

Use the whole can: sauces, compotes and chutneys Use berries: drain and use like fresh blueberries Use juice: syrups, vinaigrettes, yogurt, smoothies and glazes

Freeze-Dried Blueberries

Form

Freeze-dried blueberries; a crunchy, airy bite

How to Store

In a cool, dry place

Use Within

10 years (unopened); 12 months (after opening)

Hack

Toss into a salad to add subtle sweetness and a change of pace!

How to Enjoy

Use dry: snack mixes, rice crispy snacks Reconstitute in liquid and stir into: muffins, pancakes; green salads, Waldorf salad; puddings, cookies and cobblers

Powdered Blueberries

Form

Powdered blueberries; whole dried blueberries get powdered

How to Store

In a dry place

Use Within

2 years (unopened) 12 months (after opening)

Hack

Include in a summer meat rub for an unexpected twist

How to Enjoy

Yogurt, smoothies, sauces, salad dressings: spices and rubs; cooked cereals; lemonade, cocktails; ice cream, truffles, frosting, gelatin, glazes, Pana cotta, meringues, whipped cream

Liquified Blueberries

Form

Liquified blueberries; single-strength juice and concentrates from fresh, pressed blueberries

How to Store

At room temperature (unopened); refrigerate or freeze after opening

Use Within

9 months (unopened); 10 days (after opening)

Hack

Give your ice cubes a step up, then throw into teas and lemonade for added flavor

How to Enjoy

Agua Fresca, lassi, cocktails, iced tea, lemonade; vinaigrettes, marinades, glazes, BBQ sauce, ketchup; sweet sauces

Puréed Blueberries

Form

Puréed blueberries; single-strength and various concentrations

How to Store

Freeze (unopened); refrigerate after opening

Use Within

2 years (frozen) 10 days (after opening)

Hack

Skip the store-bought baby food – you’ve got what it takes, especially with easy-to-use blueberries

How to Enjoy

Sweet or savory sauces, dips, vinaigrettes; smoothies, sodas, cocktails, lemonade; gelatin, mousse, parfaits, cake or pie fillings, pudding; frozen desserts; plate smears

Delicious fresh blueberries are a summertime treat and tradition in North America. You may now notice fresh blueberries on the shelves year round as well thanks to production in the Southern Hemisphere. About 50 percent of all blueberries produced are dedicated to the fresh market. The harvest starts in Florida in the Early Spring and Ends in British Columbia Canada in October and sometimes later. Blueberry are grown in rows that are cultivated year round to produce sweet and plump berries. When the berry is a deep blue color, the blueberries are carefully hand picked and rushed to nearby packing houses. They are chilled, and rushed to markets in nearby cities and off to air fright around the world. The blueberries are packed in plastic trays of different sizes and are normally in market within hours of harvest! In the winter — fresh blueberries from South America and Australia and New Zealand which are air freighted across the globe to local market. A number of blueberry farmers open their farms to what are called U-pick operations.