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  2. Blueberries 101

Blueberries 101

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How to buy fresh blueberries

  • Look for firm, plump, dry berries with smooth skins.
  • The silvery sheen on blueberries is natural and helps protect the fruit.
  • Avoid soft or shriveled fruit, or any signs of mould.
  • Size is not an indicator of flavour or sweetness, but colour is! Reddish berries aren’t quite ripe and will taste tart—use them in baking and cooking.

 

How to store blueberries

Refrigerate as soon as you get them home, in their original plastic pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Only rinse your berries just before you’re going to use them. Use within 10 days of purchase.

 

How to freeze blueberries

To freeze your blueberries, make sure they’re dry and keep them in their original plastic clamshell, or put them in re-sealable plastic bags or containers.

Frozen blueberry tips

  • BC blueberries are available year-round frozen. Look for the "BC Grown" logo, and check the country of origin listed on the bag to make sure it says "Canada".
  • Should blueberries be washed before freezing? No, just remember to rinse the berries before using them.
  • Commercially frozen blueberries have been washed—use them directly from the bag.
  • Refrigerate thawed blueberries and use within 3 days.
  • Use any frozen blueberries within one year of purchase.

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Man holding blueberries

Tips to enjoy blueberries every day

  • Stir fresh or frozen blueberries into maple syrup; warm in the microwave and serve on waffles, pancakes or desserts.
  • Start with your favourite chicken salad and mix in fresh or dried blueberries.
  • Scatter fresh or dried blueberries and toasted walnut pieces over dressed mixed greens.
  • Place fresh or frozen blueberries in ice cube trays; cover with apple juice and freeze; add the frozen cubes to lemonade, iced tea or club soda.
Blueberry Picnic

BC blueberries & Kids – Natural together!

Blueberries are packed with nutrients that are great for your child’s growth and development. They are easy to prepare and can be taken along as a quick, nutritious snack. (Just always remember to puree or cut your blueberries into small pieces before giving them to babies)

Visit our Recipes section to find recipes for kids of all ages – perfect for getting your young ones involved in the kitchen themselves.

Child picking blueberries

BC’s long, temperate growing season explodes with amazing blueberry bush varieties.

From July through until September, BC’s blueberry fields burst with vitality, turning warm sunshine and pure BC water into some of the best berries in the known universe. Different blueberry varieties offer world-class options for flavour, sweetness, and fresh and frozen quality. Here are a few of the most popular varieties.

DUKE
An early variety for processing and fresh market. This heavy-producing bush is upright, stocky and open. Blooms late, produces early and consistently. Harvested in two picks. Fruit: Large-size, light blue and firm. Flavour is maintained in cold storage. Excellent for individual quick freezing and fresh shipping.

BLUECROP
Mid-season variety for processing and fresh market. The bush is vigorous, and may even tend to over-produce if not carefully pruned. Harvest occurs in three to four picks. The fruit is large, light blue and firm. Good flavour.

ELLIOTT
Very late, fresh market variety. Bush is upright, vigorous and consistently productive. Fruit: Medium size, light blue and firm, slightly tart flavour. Good for storage.