How to Clean Blueberries

Blueberries are delicious and also good for you. Blueberries contain antioxidants which guard your body against free radical damage. This helps to protect your body against diseases and illnesses associated with aging. In addition, blueberries are also rich in vitamins C and E. Frozen blueberries contain valuable vitamins, but it's best to consume fresh blueberries, since some nutrients are lost in the freezing process. But you must first clean fresh blueberries before consuming them; here's an easy method to do so.

Things You'll Need

• Colander or strainer
• Water
• Vinegar
• Paper towels
• Fruit and vegetable wash

Instructions

1. Place the blueberries in a colander or strainer. While you can wash blueberries in the container they came in, it's better to move them to a separate strainer. Otherwise, dirt and other debris can remain trapped between the berries.

2. Rinse the blueberries under cool, running water. Use your hands to move the blueberries around in the strainer to ensure every portion of each berry is rinsed.

3. Spray store-bought fruit and vegetable wash on the blueberries. Place the blueberries in a bowl of cool water and move them around. The spray, coupled with the water, will remove dirt and debris from the berries. Remove the blueberries from the bowl with your hands. The dirt you removed will have settled at the bottom of the bowl.

4. Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with a gallon of warm water. Place the blueberries in the mixture and move them around gently. This works similarly to a fruit and vegetable wash. Remove the blueberries from the mixture and rinse with fresh water.

5. Pat your clean blueberries with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Allow them to fully dry in the colander or spread them on paper towels.

Tips & Warnings

• Be gentle as you clean the blueberries. If you rub them harshly, you may cause the skin to break.

• Do not soak the blueberries in water. This will remove nutrients from them.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish