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!
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.
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!
Form
Frozen blueberries; rinsed and flash-frozen directly from the farm
How to Store
Freezer
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!
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
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
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
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
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.
