Blueberries have a tendency to spoil quickly, but the right storage method could help keep them fresher for longer — and it may even help cut down on food waste08:20, 21 Jun 2026Few things rival the straightforward joy of biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy blueberry, yet these delicate fruits have a frustrating habit of going off quickly. Supermarkets typically package berries in plastic containers because the lightweight material is easy to stack, though this is far from ideal for consumers, as it tends to trap significant amounts of moisture.‌Despite being vulnerable to water, blueberries themselves possess a remarkably high water content. When stored in the fridge, moisture gets trapped by the plastic packaging, creating ideal conditions for mould to flourish.‌With this in mind, Val Riley, founder of Lovely Lucky Life, has encouraged people to abandon plastic and move their berries into glass mason jars instead.‌She said: "The berries truly stay fresh for longer - they don't mush or mould nearly as quickly as they do in the plastic."Glass jars are substantially less prone to retaining moisture than plastic, and keeping their lids slightly ajar allows humidity to escape freely, reports the Express.‌Blueberries naturally release water during storage, and placing them in a glass container simply promotes better air circulation, allowing any excess moisture to evaporate far more rapidly.It also helps tremendously to store blueberries on kitchen roll, as this absorbs any surplus moisture, maintaining the fruit fresher for as long as possible. Blueberries can also harbour bacteria picked up during handling and transit, meaning they often already contain mould spores in the packaging, so they should be rinsed before being put in the fridge.Storing blueberries properly might seem like a hassle, but it genuinely takes under five minutes and saves you money in the long run, as you won't find yourself repeatedly replacing spoilt fruit.‌How to keep blueberries fresher for longerStart by placing the blueberries in a colander and rinsing them under cold running water to thoroughly clean them and remove any bacteria or debris.Next, spread the blueberries out on a plate lined with kitchen roll and gently pat them dry. Ensure they are completely dry before storing, as any moisture will encourage mould to form.Article continues belowIt's also worth checking the blueberries carefully, throwing out any that appear soft, damaged, or mouldy to prevent them from spoiling the rest of the batch.Tip the blueberries into a clean glass jar, then lay a single sheet of kitchen roll on top to soak up any excess moisture. Fasten the lid loosely and pop them straight in the fridge.This approach not only frees up valuable space in your refrigerator but also helps reduce food waste, allowing you to enjoy blueberries for up to a week or two beyond their usual shelf life. Val explained: "By putting the fruits and veggies in sealed jars straight into the fridge. They last about twice as long as they would in the plastic, BUT they won't last that long... because you'll eat them before they have a chance to spoil."