How do you freeze fresh blueberries?

Answer 1

If you grew them, know they have not been doused with pesticides, and are unconcerned about what has been climbing around on them, you don't need to wash them. Otherwise, do wash them, gently, and do it before you freeze them. Thawed berries tend to weep and are very fragile, and you wouldn't want to wash away their flavor when you scour the pesticides off them.

The best way to freeze blueberries is in a single layer on a baking sheet. Dry them as well as you can first without bruising them by laying them on a layer of paper towels and covering them with more paper towels. Place them lovingly, and without crowding them, on the baking sheet, pop it in the freezer, and wait. Once frozen, pack the berries into appropriate storage containers and return them to the freezer.

There are certainly some applications where you don't need to thaw the berries before use — blueberry muffins, for example, where they will thaw and cook in the muffins. Where they will be used as a topping or garnish, however, it is nice to thaw them first so that you don't wind up biting a crystallized berry.

Answer 2

Freezing blueberries

Blueberries freeze very well. Simply sort the fruit, don't wash,
and pack in freezer bags or boxes. When you use the frozen fruit,
simply wash in running water and use. Don't thaw. This is especially
nice when adding blueberries to fruit salad or muffins where you
don't want the rest of the product to turn purple. If you've already
washed the berries, let them dry before freezing. My favorite way
to eat blueberries is "straight up." For breakfast try the berries
in rice (brown, white, what ever) with a little cinnamon and/or
clove.

Answer 3

Definitely DO NOT get them wet first it makes them get really mushy when you go to use them after. I pick wild blueberries all of the time around here as they grow everywhere practically in my back yard.....all I do is pick through to remove any unripe ones or leaves and debris etc put them in an empty icecream container and freeze...after the have been in there a while and are frozen squeeze the container and shake it up to break them apart so they arent frozen all in one big clump which ruins them when unthawed and also allows you to pour out some for using to make milkshakes etc. Thats what I do!! and I still have some I picked last year and they are still really good.

Answer 4

Aside from those who appear to have no idea how blueberries are grown, it's easy to freeze them without having them turn to mush.

Don't wash them. Commercial growers DON'T use pesticides on blueberries....I know, I grew up 3 doors down from 2 different farms and worked there throughout my teens. If you wash the blueberries, they'll turn to mush.

Instead, use a large, damp (dark colored) bath towel and lay it out on your counter. Spread your blueberries out on it and pick out any under-ripe, over-ripe, or mashed berries, stems or leaves. Roll them around to get off any blossom ends, etc.

Put them in plastic freezer containers and put upside down in the freezer. That causes any aberrant moisture to rise and freeze at what is actually the bottom of the container.

When you're ready to use, take them out of the freezer and let defrost for 1/2 hour at room temperature, then keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Answer 5

Wash and dry the blueberries. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and freeze. Then put them in a container or ziploc bag. If you skip the cookie sheet step, you'll end up with a large clump of blueberries .

Answer 6

never get fresh fruit wet until you're ready to use it, they stand a chance of becoming mushy or freezer burned. just take them out of the package and wrap them up in a few paper towels, then place in a freezer bag. get out as much air as you can and stick in the freezer. when defrosting them, take the paper towels out of the bag and keep on the counter or on a cutting board, never leave in bag because of condensation. eat however you like

Answer 7

rinse and dry them. Lay them across a cookie sheet, single layer. Freeze until very firm, then put them in a ziploc bag. That way that stay separate.

Answer 8

Wash them first, then throw them in a zip-loc bag...suck out as much air as possible, and just toss the bag in the freezer.
They can be frozen for a very long time.

Answer 9

obviously u can purely placed them contained in the right length field u will be freezing them in and mark the date-of freezing bypass from furthest date maximum of all yet that is this sort of impressive theory in certain u have-get acceptable of entry to two a lot-of them and u can bypass decrease back later 2 use yet sure u can freeze maximum issues accessible lynnet

Answer 10

Do not wash them before you freeze them as they will crystalize. Wash them off when you defrost them. Just pour them into a freezer baggie and freeze