How do you get the white stuff out of blueberries?

But don't worry, it's completely natural, as chef Matt Tebbutt discovers on Monday night's Food Unwrapped. The white waxy coating - which comes off easily when you wash them - is called bloom, and it's there to protect the fruit from damage and disease.

How do you get the white film off of blueberries?

What is the white stuff on blueberry?

That white powdery finish found on blueberries is actually a sign of freshness. The white stuff (called the bloom) is the blueberry's natural protection against the sun and if you can see it, it means the berries have been picked in nice, dry conditions.

Should I rinse blueberries before eating?

It is best to store your blueberries in the fridge and wash just prior to eating. Berries are delicate and very perishable. If you wash them first and plan to store them for a long period of time in the refrigerator they can start to break down faster. Blueberries should last a week and a half or more!

What is the best way to wash blueberries?

Empty blueberries from their container into a colander to make the washing process easier and to reduce risk. Turn on your sink, letting cool water flow. "Berries should be washed gently under cool running water, moving them around to allow the water to run across all sides," she says.

What's That White Coating on Blueberries? | Food Unwrapped

Is white mold on blueberries harmful?

Because molds on berries are usually innocuous, even accidentally eating a moldy berry — though not recommended — would be unlikely to make you sick, Dr. Mitcham said. Also, “you would probably spit it out before you managed to swallow it,” because moldy berries “have a very off, very bad flavor,” she added.

Can I use vinegar to clean blueberries?

Place the berries in a large bowl and wash them in a vinegar-water bath: 1 cup of white vinegar and 8 cups of water. Let the berries sit in the vinegar-water bath, gently moving them to help dislodge any dirt, grime and letting the vinegar kill spores and bacteria.

How long soak berries in vinegar?

Fill a large bowl with 3 cups water mixed with 2 Tbsp vinegar. Since we'll be rinsing them well, sometimes I use organic white distilled vinegar as it's more affordable and not quite as strong of a flavor, but apple cider vinegar will work too. Place the berries into the water and let them soak 5 to 10 minutes.

How do you clean blueberries with baking soda?

Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda over the wet blueberries. Use your hands to gently distribute the baking soda throughout the blueberries, and continue to agitate for 30-45 seconds. Rinse blueberries thoroughly with cool water until all trace of baking soda is removed.

Should you wash store bought blueberries?

2. Blueberries. Unless you plan to eat them immediately, there's no need to jump the gun on washing blueberries. These small summer fruits last longest when stored in the back of the refrigerator, and washed just before eating.

Should you wash blueberries before baking?

Because blueberries are very perishable, do not wash them until just before consuming or cooking. Blueberries do not need to be peeled, seeded, cored or trimmed before using.

Does rinsing blueberries remove pesticides?

Drain the blueberries in a colander and rinse them under cool running water for at least 30 seconds while using the friction of your fingertips to clear away any pesticide residue.

Can you eat unwashed blueberries?

Eating unwashed produce may cause you to ingest harmful bacteria, which may be present in the soil, or pesticides applied to produce in the fields. What's more, you might even end up eating bugs that were harvested along with the produce.

Can you rinse mold off blueberries?

But the truth is, berries carry mold spores that cause them to go deteriorate very quickly. And that mold can spread through a whole basket of berries in a flash. Good news: You can easily kill off mold and bacteria with a quick vinegar and water bath, then dry off the berries before they go in the fridge.

Can I clean blueberries with salt?

A saltwater soak of one cup of warm water to one teaspoon of salt, along with a quick rinse afterward, can help ensure the removal of little grubs that may be hiding inside the berries.

Should fresh blueberries be washed before freezing?

Ideally, freeze your blueberries as they are and wait to rinse them when you take them out of the freezer. If you do prefer to rinse the blueberries first, be sure to dry well with paper towels, then transfer them to freezer containers or resealable plastic bags for freezing.

Is it better to wash fruit with vinegar or baking soda?

To use salt instead of vinegar for your soak, simply use one or two tablespoons of salt in your water instead of vinegar and lemon. Baking soda, whose alkalinity helps to neutralize many common acidic pesticides, is generally thought to be the most effective produce wash.

Is it safe to wash fruit with baking soda?

The US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture and other scientists agree: use a cold water soak with baking soda to effectively help remove dirt, chemical residue, and other unwanted materials from your fresh vegetables and fruits.

How long do blueberries last in the fridge?

You can leave blueberries at room temperature if you plan to eat them in the next day or so, but after that you should transfer them to the fridge—they can stay there for five to 10 days. Of course, you can freeze them if you want to keep them longer than that.

Can I clean blueberries with apple cider vinegar?

To make a vinegar bath, combine 3 cups of water to 1/4 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a sink, bowl, or salad spinner basin. Add the berries to the mixture and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Then rinse with fresh water and dry on a towel. A vinegar bath is the best way to clean and wash fresh berries.

Does soaking fruit in vinegar water work?

What we learned: Yes, it is safe to soak fruits and vegetables in vinegar. Using a solution that's three parts water and one part vinegar will be most effective at removing bacteria. If soaking fruit in the sink, be sure to clean the sink first and make sure you're using enough vinegar to meet the three-to-one ratio.

How do you clean berries with baking soda?

For berries, avoid soaking them; instead, rinse them under cold water in a strainer. To clean with baking soda, sprinkle a small amount directly on the fruit and gently rub the baking soda in over running water.

How do you wash blueberries and raspberries?

Rinse the berries in cold water.

When you're ready to serve your berries, place them in a colander and give them a quick rinse with cool, running water. Wash strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in either cold or cool water. Doing so removes pesticides, dirt, and mold.

How do you keep blueberries fresh in the refrigerator?

You should store blueberries in a low-humidity, low-moisture part of your fridge, such as the middle rack. Freeze in an airtight container. Frozen blueberries will stay edible for six to twelve months, while refrigerated blueberries will typically keep for a maximum of five days.

Should berries be refrigerated?

Fresh berries from your local farm taste amazing at room temperature so it's the sooner the better for munching. For long-term storage keep them in the fridge. To avoid soggy or moldy berries, rinse just before eating.