Can You Freeze Blueberries? Tips for Freezing Blueberries
Blueberries are petite fruits that fall in the category of berries similar to other berries like strawberries, cranberries, etc. You might often find yourselves buying a large number of blueberries together. So how do you freeze blueberries? Here’s a quick guide to help you out.
Blueberry is a part of the simple fruit classification. It has a soft mushy edible part similar to other berries. Blueberries have a distinct dark bluish and violet color that makes them alluring. These berries are part of different recipes like blueberry jam, blueberry pie, etc.
They are often used as toppings in cake decorations or other desserts. These berries have a sweet taste that can be complimented with a tangy taste like that of a lemon. Blueberries are often available in bunches similar to grapes. Let’s look at the process of freezing them.
Nutrients in Blueberries
Blueberries do more to your body than simply satisfy your taste buds. These berries are often associated with the baking process but they can do more than that. These fleshy fruits are power packed with essential nutrients.
Every 100g serving of blueberry consists of:
- Energy 64 kcal
- Carbs 14.6 g
- Fats 0.31 g
- Sugar 9.36 g
- Vitamin C 8.1 mg
- Calcium 12 mg
- Magnesium 6.2 mg
- Protein 0.7 g
- Water 84.2 g
Benefits of Eating Blueberries
No matter how much we disregard it the truth is eating fruits has abundant health benefits for our bodies. This statement holds especially true for all vitamin C-rich fruits. These fruits aid in so many processes we can’t even imagine. Here’s what eating blueberries do to your body:
- Aids in Weight Loss: Blueberries are a good substitute for sugar cravings. Therefore, you can try switching your unhealthy snacks with a bowl of blueberries to stay on track with your diet plans.
- Protects Heart: Blueberries protect your heart by maintaining its overall health condition. They do so by the anthocyanidin pigment present in them. This pigment maintains a definite supply of blood across the heart muscles. In case of any stiffness or rigidness, this pigment helps eliminate it soon. Thus, reducing the load on the heart.
- Enhances Immunity: Blueberries have a rich supply of antioxidants in them. Antioxidants are a must when fighting against bacterial infections or viral diseases. Therefore, blueberries are good for developing your immunity.
- Sharpens Eyesight: Since blueberries are rich in antioxidants they tend to improve blood circulation in eye muscles. This way they help cure eye ailments quicker and make your eyesight healthy.
- Makes you immune against UTIs: Blueberries are significantly rich in anthocyanin content. Research proves that anthocyanins are proven to build your immunity against parasites causing urinary tract infections.
How Can You Freeze Blueberries?
Freezing blueberries is the easiest task to accomplish. You can finish doing so within a minute’s time! Yes, you heard that. However, if you have some free time you can freeze blueberries in a more decent way.
So, here’s what you can do. Grab your freshly-plucked blueberries or store-bought ones and store them in airtight containers. Drop the container in the freezer and you are done! Takes less than a minute, right?!
Now let’s switch to the second method of freezing blueberries. Start by taking a lined tray and adding blueberries evenly across the tray. Place them in the freezer for a short duration till they get slightly frozen. Take the frozen blueberries out and pop them in ziplock bags.
Now remove any excess air from the bags and label them with the date of freezing. Toss them into the freezer and that marks the end of the process! If you are wondering why we froze the berries beforehand here’s the answer.
How Long Do Blueberries Last in the Freezer?
Sometimes blueberries freeze on hand for up to six months but they can last longer as well. It is best to use blueberries within the first six months after they’ve been frozen—but, if you freeze them in batches, they can last longer as well.
If you directly pop your berries in the freezer or refrigerator then, they will last for 5-7 days without proper freezing. Thus, take note of the number of berries you have with you and the time for which you wish to put them in the freezer.
If you plan to use them within a week then don’t panic and freeze them directly. But, for longer and controlled freezing sessions, it is better to go with the steps given above.
Tips for when you Freeze Blueberries
Blueberries are great for freezing and tips like flash-freezing them will help you in the long run. Don’t thaw frozen berries if you are using them in smoothies or milkshakes. Frozen fruits tend to give a creamy and frothy shake that tastes amazing. Also, you can freeze different flavors of berries for better taste.
When you freeze berries prior to storing them in an airtight bag or container you reduce the possibility of berries sticking to each other during their time in the freezer. Also, remember you should never wash blueberries before freezing them.
Blueberries have a wax-like protective coating on them which keeps them protected from any bacterial contamination. Thus, if you wash the berries before freezing them then, you’ll end up creating an environment for bacterial build-up.
Thus, when you use blueberries you can remove the amount needed and wash them separately. Blueberries can be frozen for almost a year however, it is best if you eat them within 6 months.
Recipes to try with Frozen Blueberries
Blueberries find their use in different delicious recipes. Here are our top recipes for you to try with your thawed frozen blueberries.
- Blueberry Smoothie: In a blender, add a cup of frozen blueberries, mint leaves, frozen bananas, milk, and honey. Combine all the ingredients into a thick smoothie and serve in a bowl. Top with nuts or fruits of your choice.
- Blueberry Jam: Preparing blueberry jam is easy than preparing mixed fruit jam. So here’s what you can do. In a pan, start adding frozen blueberries and equal amounts of sugar. Keep mixing till the sugar starts dissolving then add lemon juice to it and give a nice stir. Keep cooking till you get a jam-like consistency.
- Blueberry Oats Bowl: This is the perfect breakfast recipe you can prepare. In a bowl, add a cup of rolled oats, milk, frozen blueberries, honey, almonds, and frozen bananas. Close the bowl with a lid and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Serve the next day.
- Blueberry Lemon Tea: Prepare lemon tea as usual by boiling lemon slices in 1 ½ cups of water. Add honey as per taste. Top with frozen blueberries till the flavors are nicely absorbed in the tea.
- Blueberry Muffins: Prepare the batter for muffins like usual and create a separate batter from frozen blueberries. In a bowl, add frozen blueberries, yogurt, lemon juice, and some buttermilk. Work the ingredients into a thick and creamy batter. Add this batter to the muffin mix and viola! You have the best blueberry muffins in town.
Now that you know different recipes with frozen blueberries, be sure to try them! Also, keep checking on tightly locking your containers or bags when freezing blueberries. Do not forget to refrain from washing blueberries when freezing.