Do Blackberries Go Bad?

When blackberries are in season, those who enjoy eating this delicious fruit will buy more than one package. Blackberries are one those fruits that don’t seem to last very long once it’s harvested. Proper storage is needed so they don’t go bad.

Do blackberries go bad? Like most other fruits, blackberries do go bad. Blackberries tend to go bad quickly because they carry mold spores. These fruits are very delicate and require proper storage right after harvesting so they’ll last as long as possible. Air temperature, when it was harvested, how it’s stored, and the quality of it are factors that determines how long before they go bad.

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How Long Do Blackberries Last?

Blackberries tend to not last very long once it’s harvested. Therefore, it’s best to eat them harvest or buy them when you’re ready to eat them.

At room temperature, blackberries will last 1-2 days. The temperature of the room will dictate how long they will actually last. If it’s really hot, leaving them on the countertop overnight, chances are that some of the blackberries will go bad by morning.

Keeping them in the refrigerator is the best place to keep them fresh longer. In the fridge, blackberries can last up to a week. Of course, how long they actually last will depend on their quality when it was bought or picked, the time when it was harvested, and how long before you store them in the fridge.

Therefore, for best results, try to use the blackberries within 3 to 5 days.

In the freezer, blackberries will last up to 6 months. After that time, you’ll still be able to eat it, but the quality will diminish.

How To Tell When Blackberries Go Bad

Fresh blackberries are black-blue in color and plump. As they go bad, they will start showing signs of going bad. As they go bad, you’ll have some time to save them before they spoil to the point where you can use them anymore.

Blackberries are soft as they get older and their quality will not be that great. However, you’ll still be able to eat them or use them, or better yet, use them to make smoothies, a fruit salad, or jams with it.

When blackberries start going bad, there will be some signs to look for. Below are the things you should check to see if the blackberries are spoiled or starting to go bad:

Mold. When there are molds growing on the fruit, it’s best to throw them out. If there’s just mold on a small part of the blackberry, more than likely, the inside is bad. Mold doesn’t start growing on the fruit until it becomes spoiled.

Slime, crushed, or liquid oozing out. Gently squeeze the blackberries and if it’s soft and liquid is oozing out, you should discard them. The liquid can be slimy or runny in texture. Either way, you should not try to eat it as it may contain harmful bacteria.

Have an off smell. Fresh blackberries will not have any smell to it. If it starts smelling sour or has an off smell to it, discards it.

How To Store Blackberries?

Storing blackberries is similar to those of strawberries. The first thing you need to do when you get home is to sort through the berries and discard bad ones. If there are any that’s damaged, crushed, or moldy, discard them. Microorganisms that live in blackberries will spread very quickly. If one or two of the fruit is bad, if you don’t remove them, within 24 hours, you may have to throw away the entire package of blackberries.

Once you have only the good quality blackberries left, you can store them for later use. Whether you’re going to store them in them at room temperature, refrigerator, or the freezer, it’s best to not wash them yet. Only when you’re ready to eat them is when washing is required.

At room temperature, only store blackberries if you’re planning to eat or use it within a day. Otherwise, it will spoil before you can eat it, especially if the room temperature is extremely hot.

To store blackberries at room temperature, place them into a container and place a damp towel or napkin over it. This will help preserve the moisture in the blackberries and prevent them from drying out.

Keep the blackberries away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. The heat will cause the fruit to go bad really fast.

When it comes to storage in the fridge, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

The storage container should be well vented. Blackberries need air to keep them fresh. When you bought them at the grocery stores, it often comes in a vented plastic clamshell. If you’re using your own container, open the lid a bit so the fruit can breathe and moisture can escape.
Protect the blackberries from damages. Blackberries are a very soft and delicate fruit. They are easily prone to get damaged. Once they are damaged, the fruit will start to go bad quickly. Therefore, do not put too many blackberries together in a container. About 10-15 pieces of the fruit are enough. Any more than that will put pressure on those at the bottom and cause them to break apart.
Place paper towels in the container. To keep blackberries from turning soggy quickly, line the bottom and side of the storage container with paper towels. The excess moistures buildup will get absorbed by the paper towels. This is optional, but if you use paper towels, it will keep the fruit fresh for another 5-6 days in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Blackberries?

If you love blackberries, you may have already bought some frozen blackberries. Therefore, you know that blackberries freeze quite well.

There are many methods for freezing blackberries, depending on what you’ll be using them for. You can freeze the berries as whole berries, cut or sliced, puree, or as jam. Each method may require more work than others.

When it comes to freezing blackberries, the best method is to simply dry freeze them. All you need to do is give the berries a good cleaning. Then place them on a sheet of wax paper. You can place it on a tray to hold it up. Then flash freeze the berries by placing them into the freezer for about 2-3 hours. Once it’s completely frozen, immediately transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Seal the bag, label it, and place it back in the freezer.

Flash freezing the blackberries first will ensure the fruit doesn’t stick together while it’s frozen. You can take as much as want and place the rest back in the freezer without having to worry about them sticking together.

Storing blackberries in the freezer will last up to 6-8 months. After that time, you can still eat them, but the taste and texture will start to decrease.

How To Keep Blackberries Fresh Longer

Buying Blackberries

Buying blackberries can be in fresh or frozen form. If you’re buying them frozen, to keep them fresh longer is to make sure the blackberries haven’t expired yet. Simply look at the printed date on the package and it will tell when the blackberries will expire. Usually, manufacturers will use preservatives so you may notice they have a long expiry date.

Fresh blackberries, on the other hand, will require you to check their quality before buying it. Choose the one that is most fresh to ensure it will last as long as possible. Fresh blackberries will a blue-black uniform color and firm to the touch. If they feel a bit squishy and soft, you can buy them, only if you’re planning to eat them within a day or so. Otherwise, they’ll go bad before you have a chance to eat them.

Besides the grocery stores, the farmer’s market is another excellent place to buy fresh blackberries. However, you can only buy them when it’s available, which is usually the summer months. At the farmer’s market, the quality of the fruit is usually at it’s best. Blackberries sold at the farmer’s market are usually picked a day or the same day that it’s sold. Therefore, you’ll be getting the freshest blackberries available.