BlueYouth Berries

Storing blueberries and blackberries

Refrigerate fresh berries as soon as you get them home, either in a plastic pack or in a covered bowl or container, preferably with some ventilation. We find that berries stored in in the refrigerator in a container that has some ventilation will keep longer. Do not wash them before storing, as moisture will hasten the decay process. Wash your berries just before you start snacking, and eat them within 10 days.

Freezing blueberries or blackberries is easy, and provides a great way to enjoy the benefit of fresh Florida fruit all year long! Do not wash blueberries before freezing, as this could make them turn tough and stick together. If washing is necessary, wash just before eating or using in a recipe. To freeze, lay out the dry berries on a single layer on a cooking sheet and place in the freezer. Once they are frozen, put the berries in a freezer bag. When they are needed, they will be frozen separately, and you can use a few at a time. We have frozen berries for a year or more, and not noticed a drop in quality. Recipes below

Making blueberry or blackberry jam is also easy. Generally, using some red or not quite ripe berries will give you the best jam, as it will add a tang that is not found with store bought fruit, but is easily obtainable from U Pick farms. Directions and pictures for making jam are on the http://www.pickyourown.org/jam.htm website, and there is a low sugar recipe below--just click on "Jam". Buy the pectin (a fruit based product) at a local grocery store. Pectin gives the jam or jelly have a firm set. There is the regular pectin and low or no sugar pectin for those who desire this type of jam or jelly. Follow the recipe on the pectin package that you select. If you want to remove seeds from blackberry jam, you will need a Foley Food Mill, Oxo food mill or similar product, available via search engines, Amazon.com, or food equipment stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond, for about $25.00 to $50.00.