Blueberries – antioxidant-rich fruits worth keeping all year round
Blueberries are among the most antioxidant-rich fruits you can eat. If they are kept correctly, you can enjoy their taste and beneficial properties even many months after the end of the season.
Whether you picked them from the garden or bought them from the market, there is a simple and natural way to preserve them without sugar, without preservatives and without a freezer.
I keep blueberries in jars and they don’t spoil!
In addition to being extremely healthy, some studies suggest that blueberries contain bioactive compounds that can support the body’s natural regeneration processes and the normal functioning of stem cells.
Why keep blueberries in jars?
Most people choose to freeze them, but preserving them in jars offers many advantages:
- It does not take up space in the freezer.
- It keeps its taste closer to fresh.
- They can last for several months if properly preserved.
- They are easy to store and transport.
- They do not contain sugar or artificial preservatives.
This method uses pasteurization – a delicate thermal process that reduces the development of microorganisms and helps preserve fruits.
Ingredients
- Fresh and well-ripened blueberries;
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice for each 750 ml jar;
- Filtered water;
- Clean glass jars (750 ml);
- New caps;
- A large, deep pot;
- A clean towel.
How to preserve blueberries
1. Wash the blueberries well
Rinse the fruit under cold water, then let it drain and dry gently with a clean towel.
2. Sterilize jars
Jars can be sterilized by boiling for 10 minutes or in the dishwasher using a high temperature program.
3. Fill the jars
Place the blueberries without crushing them, leaving about 2–3 cm to the edge of the jar.
4. Add the lemon juice
Pour a spoonful of lemon juice into each 750 ml jar. Additional acidity contributes to the safe preservation of fruits.
5. Complete with water
Pour filtered water until the blueberries are completely covered, leaving about 1 cm of free space at the top.
6. Close jars
Wipe the edges of the jars with a clean cloth and close them tightly with new lids.
7. Prepare pasteurization
Place a towel on the bottom of a large pot and place the jars upright. Pour water up to near the level of the lids.
8. Pasteurises
Bring the water to the boiling point, then reduce the heat and leave the jars to pasteurize for 30 minutes.
9. Let them cool
After the 30 minutes, turn off the heat and let the jars cool slowly in the same water.
10. Store them
After cooling, wipe the jars and store them in a cool, dry place away from light. If they are well sealed, they can last for several months.
