Although delicate blueberries can be easily damaged during washing, this step should not be skipped – even if you picked the berries yourself in an ecologically clean area.
The procedure is necessary to get rid of parasites, insects, dust and other dirt, explains Yulia Arkhipova, an expert of the online publication BelNovosti and a chef.
The only exception is storing berries: after picking or purchasing blueberries, they should be stored dry until you are ready to eat them, after removing any bad, bruised, or rotten berries.
How to Wash Blueberries
Let us repeat: blueberries need to be washed before you eat them. This should be done carefully, trying not to crush the fruit.
Fill a bowl with water and place the berries in there, then rinse them carefully and remove.
Then wait until the water drains and the blueberries dry out a little. Now you can start eating: you shouldn't put it off even for a few hours, since washed blueberries quickly spoil and rot.
Should I wash blueberries before freezing?
Before freezing, blueberries must be washed thoroughly - it will be impossible to do this after defrosting. Wash the berries in the manner described above, and then dry them.
If you freeze berries while wet, the water will damage the skin when it expands, and as a result, the berries will turn into mush after defrosting. In addition, wet berries will stick together and become deformed, which will negatively affect their structure and taste.
When the berries are completely dry, distribute them into containers or bags and place them in the freezer.
Expert: Julia Arkhipova
