Blueberries are nutrient-dense, vivid blue fruit with a small size. They’re high in antioxidants and have been shown to help with many ailments such as brain and heart health. After being picked, it won’t take too long for them to break down and wrinkle.
After this, there could be signs of mold appearing, as many blueberries are covered in white powder. So, can you eat moldy blueberries, even if you accidentally eat them? Most people wouldn’t be sick from eating moldy foods, yet it isn’t something you’d want to make a habit of.
The secret with blueberries is knowing how to tell the signs and also how to store them to make sure they haven’t spoiled, and they are free from mold spores. In our guide, you can learn more about what happens if you eat bad blueberries. By the end, you’ll know how to tell if your fruits are bad and how to store blueberries for the longest shelf life. (Learn How To Keep Dough From Drying Out While Rising)
How Long Will Blueberries Stay Fresh In The Refrigerator?
Is it OK to eat wrinkled blueberries? If a blueberry is shriveled and wrinkly or leaking any juices, like a grape, it’s beginning to go bad.
Berries, on the other hand, deteriorate rapidly, so once you’ve stocked up for the summer, you can use them in baking or freeze them to extend their shelf life.
Overall, you can leave blueberries at room temperature for the next day or so if you want to eat them soon. Yet, after that, they should be put in the fridge. Once here, they can last for five to ten days.
If you notice the skins shriveling, you may wonder, is it ok to eat wrinkled blueberries? It depends on the extent of the wrinkles, and if there are signs, they are leaking fluids.
If this is the case, it’s best to throw them out. Berries spoil quickly, so once you’ve stocked up, get baking, make blueberry jam, or freeze them to extend the shelf life.
Since they spoil quickly, you might ask, are blueberries edible after two weeks? To maintain freshness, place blueberries loosely in a shallow container and then cover with plastic wrap.
Even better, if you purchase them in a closed plastic clamshell container, keep them in this.
Check for bruises or excess liquid, or even any moldy blueberries. You can then keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks when stored properly.
Can You Cook Old Blueberries?
Because the heat softens blueberries, you can use overripe blueberries in a baked recipe calling for frozen or fresh blueberries. You’ll find many decadent blueberry recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you are about to use your berries, you may think they are covered in white mold.
The white stuff signals the fresh berries, which is vastly different from white mold. This white stuff is the blueberry’s natural protection from the intense sun.
How To Tell If Blueberries Are Bad?
A mushy, soft texture, some yellowing and bruising, and later mold will emerge where the stem was attached are all common traits of bad blueberries.
Is it safe to eat blueberries that have become mushy? If you have any moldy blueberries, toss them out.
It’s a sign that a blueberry is going bad if it’s shriveled and wrinkly or leaking juices.
However, you can eat these safely raw without fear of poisoning. It contains too many antioxidants and vitamins to be thrown out and accounts for your well-earned money.
Most people will not become ill from eating moldy foods if only a smidgeon of mold is present. For example, Trichoderma isn’t hazardous to humans; however, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people. On the other hand, Moldy blueberries are likely to be old, lack nutrition, and taste bad. (Learn How To Heat Up Pastrami)
Do Blueberries Go Bad In The Freezer?
Blueberries should be eaten within six months of being frozen, although they can be preserved for up to ten months.
When you detect a couple of pieces of moldy fruit within a container, toss them out along with any other fruit that is immediately touching them.
Before freezing, take a thorough look at the remaining pieces of fruit to ensure that there are no signs of mold and that the fruit is not unduly mushy.
Do not wash blueberries until you will eat them or use them and extend their shelf life.
Although the skin of cultivated blueberries is blue/purple, the flesh is frequently light green, yellow, or white.
Wild blueberries’ interior color is as black as their skin, and it’s so vibrant that just a few berries may turn your desserts, smoothies, pastries, or teeth a stunning color of blue. Blueberry fruit should be firm, while overly ripe fruit can be too soft.
As a result, double-check for the common traits of a soft texture or excess moisture before putting them in the freezer.
Are Shriveled Blueberries OK To Eat?
If you leave blueberries at room temperature too long before using them, it’s upsetting to throw away an entire bag when you think all the blueberries are bad.
To avoid such situations, here’s a list of suggestions for storing blueberries. Then, if you accidentally eat one you think is bad, there’s no reason to worry.
1. Don’t Wash Before Storage
One of the most common sources of bacterial and mold contamination in berries is the fruit’s moisture.
Blueberries are known for becoming moldy in a short amount of time. So, if you will not eat them immediately, don’t wash them.
2. Check To Find The Best Blueberries Before Storage
The blueberry stems are edible; however, they are somewhat bitter.
It’s best to remove the stems before storing them. In addition, any soft, rotting, or moldy berries in the batch must be filtered out.
3. Refrigerate Your Blueberries
Keep the berries refrigerated if you aren’t sure you’ll eat them within a few days. Berries should be stored in a closed container with a paper towel or fruit storage container.
Also, because humidity levels are high in the coldest portions of the refrigerator and crispers, avoid storing blueberries there.
One of the most important things to remember with berries is to store them in low-humidity, cool environments. In addition, berries in the crisper drawer do not get enough air circulation.
4. Freeze Overripe Blueberries
If you have fresh blueberries from the farmers’ market, you need to freeze them to keep them for over two weeks. (Learn How Long Tuna Salad In Fridge)
5. Dry Your Blueberries
Dry blueberries are a delicious snack made at home using a dehydrator or an oven.
- To soften and dry the outer skin of the berries, boil them for a minute or two.
- Bake the berries at 140 degrees Celsius for four hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Allow the berries to cool before storing them in an airtight container once they have dried.
6. Rinse With Vinegar
Wash the berries in a mix of one part vinegar to three parts water. Vinegar aids in the destruction of mold and the prevention of its growth.
Rinse the berries with clear running water at the end to eliminate the vinegar smell. Lay on a paper towel to dry any moisture.
Can You Freeze Blueberries?
If you want to keep blueberries for a long time—six months to a year—you can freeze them.
Blueberries are easy to freeze; wash them under running water, dry them with a clean cloth, and lay them out in a tray before freezing.
Freeze the berries for two to three hours, or until completely frozen, and then store in an airtight zip-lock bag.
After that, place the bag in the freezer, and you’re good to go.
Frozen blueberries can also be used straight in recipes. For example, add some frozen, clean blueberries if you’re making a shake or smoothie.
If you wish to bake with the berries, wash and clean them first. This prevents the berries from leaking too much juice onto the prepared meal. According to South Dakota State University and Spoon University, frozen blueberries are healthier than fresh blueberries.
The tiny ice crystals form during freezing and damage the berries’ cell structures.
Thus, producing anthocyanin and antioxidants found in blueberry skin and which humans absorb.
Why Are My Blueberries Wrinkled?
Is it okay to eat wrinkled or mushy blueberries?
A moldy blueberry should be thrown away, yet if blueberry is wrinkly or starting to leak juices, these are signs it is about to go bad.
You can still eat these safely raw as the antioxidants and vitamins in the blueberry are too good to waste, which is also why you used your well-earned money to buy them.
How Do You Know When Blueberries Have Gone Bad?
Here are a few storage tips before you automatically discard blueberries you think are bad and not fit for eating.
1. Mold Growth:
Mold spreads fast between berries, so if you find white mold or any colored mold forming on a few, then throw them away.
2. Texture and Softness:
A bad blueberry will feel mushy when gently feeling the deep purple fruit. Also, the skin could appear dry and wrinkled.
3. Bad Taste:
Unfortunately, identifying damaged fruit is not difficult, and you can always taste it to determine its quality.
Your taste buds may assist you with dried blueberries or if you’ve left them in the fridge for too long and have observed no visual changes. Take a little bite to see whether the flavor has changed. (Read Is Dried Oregano The Same As Oregano Leaves)
4. Frozen Spoilage:
Freezer burn is seen as dry patches or discoloration on frozen blueberries. It’s not a big concern as long as the berries are still edible.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Blueberries?
Fresh or frozen blueberries are poisonous because of contaminants. Therefore, only eat new, well-washed, disinfected blueberries.
Some people experience allergic responses or respiratory difficulties from expiring blueberries’ mildew.
Moldy blueberries are likely to be stale and nutritionally poor. Eating such berries is risky, and rotten or long-term kept fruits should be discarded.
