step 1Pick your Berries

For many of us, this may be as simple as finding a few boxes in the produce section with no mushy berries while they happen to be on sale. However, I highly suggest visiting a “pick your own” farm, if at all possible. These places offer bulk prices, and of course, you can be sure you’re getting your berries at peak ripeness. Besides, it’s a fun way to spend your morning!  At the very least visit a local fruit stand.

Some tips for berry picking:

• Call ahead or check the farm’s website to confirm availability; crops can vary greatly from year to year in both quantity and quality due to weather and over-picking.
• Pick early in the morning, especially in hot weather, for peak flavor.
• Bring containers if your farm doesn’t provide them.
• Dress comfortably; sometimes the best berries require reaching.

I suggest picking as many as your freezer will hold. They get eaten faster than you expect. We brought home 17 lbs, and in a week and a half have probably already consumed or given away half.

step 2Rinse and Arrange

*Note: Some prefer not to wash their berries before freezing, however I like to use the frozen berries in smoothies and eat them frozen so I wash them before freezing that way they are clean.

Rinse your berries in a colander and remove any stems or stray leaves and wildlife.

Then pat dry and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet that will fit flat in your freezer (notice mine is very small). I suggest placing a clean, dry dish towel on the bottom of the tray so the berries do not stick to it or a layer of waxed paper or saran wrap.

step 3Place in Freezer

Place your baking sheet in the freezer, preferably flat against the shelf to prevent the berries from rolling into one another. Ideally, the berries should touch one another as little as possible.

If you have many berries, feel free to stack two or more trays, so long as there’s space for cold air to move through.

Wait about 4 hours, or until all berries are frozen through, before moving on to the next step.

step 4Fill Containers

Once the berries are frozen solid, choose containers to keep them in. Many people prefer freezer bags or plastic containers.

• If you use plastic, you can use a straw to suck out excess air before completely sealing to help prevent freezer burn.
• If you use glass, do not attempt to thaw contents by placing the container in hot or boiling water. Glass does not appreciate such treatment, and may break and harm you in retribution.

step 5Consume Berries

Blueberries are small and thaw quickly, so for most recipes, there is no need to thaw them before use. Any berries that are stuck together should be very easy to nudge apart. I usually just shake the bag gently before opening or tapping it on the counter.