Blueberries are small berries with blue or purple skin that grow on shrubs and dwarf trees. They originate from North America.
Blueberries are iconic fruits, belonging to the Cyanococcus section of the Vaccinium genus. Cranberries, huckleberries, and Madeira berries also fall into the same category.
Blueberries are often eaten raw, dried, or used as fresh ingredients in muffins, pies, and more. Some folks even grow blueberries strictly as ornamental shrubs.
We discuss whether or not blueberries continue to ripen after they’re piked, below.
Do Blueberries Ripen After Being Picked?
Blueberries are a type of fruit that does continue to ripen after being picked. That said, if they are picked while they are still white or green, the berries will not continue to ripen. For that reason, never pick blueberries that haven’t already turned blue!
How Do You Ripen a Blueberry?
Ripening blueberries doesn’t take much effort; you can simply leave them on the kitchen counter or stick them in the fridge. Depending on how quickly you want the berries to ripen, you may also place them inside a paper bag with a banana or apple. Fold the top down and store the back on the kitchen counter for a few days.
Also, keep in mind that ripening blueberries further doesn’t increase their sweetness. Ripening blueberries after they have been picked only helps soften the berry, it won’t become any sweeter.
How to Tell if a Blueberry is Ripe?
Blueberries that are ripe and ready to eat are plump and almost grey in color due to the dust that collects on their blue or purple skin. Upon closer inspection, if the berry has even the tiniest bit of red coloring on it (let alone green or white), it isn’t quite ripe yet and needs more time on the bush. Avoid berries in the store that aren’t fully blue, purple, or grey.
How Long Does It Take a Blueberry to Ripen?
Blueberries take only a few days to further ripen after being picked because you shouldn’t pick them until they are ripe, to begin with. The bushes themselves tend to take two to three years (and up to five!) before they start producing berries.
Do Blueberries Need Sun for Ripening?
The sun is a sure way to help ripen your blueberries properly. Once picked, place them in a secure location (where pets or children won’t get into them) that receives plenty of sunlight. Store them there for one day and they should be at the maximum ripeness.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
