How to select
Look for berries that are deep blue in colour, which indicates maximum sweetness. Take a peek at the bottom of the carton to check for blue or purple stains—this indicates that the berries at the bottom are older and crushed.

How to store
When stored properly, blueberries should stay fresh for up to a week. Hold off on washing berries until you’re ready to eat them, otherwise the moisture will cause them to deteriorate quickly. Refrigerate the berries in a wide shallow container or colander rather than a deep one to prevent the berries on the bottom from crushing under the weight of the other berries. To absorb excess moisture, lay a sheet of paper towel on the bottom of the container or colander, and cover the berries loosely with plastic wrap.

To freeze blueberries, rinse and let dry in a single layer on paper towels. Once dry, arrange in a single layer on rimmed baking sheets and transfer to the freezer until solid (this keeps the berries from sticking to each other once they’re in the container). When the berries are solid, you can then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container, where they’ll last for up to a year.

How to eat
It’s hard to beat a bowl of fresh blueberries with a little milk and sugar, but when the season hits, these little gems are plentiful—and with their short shelf life, you want to use them up fast. Here are a few of our favourite ways to enjoy these peak-season berries.

Easy Blueberry Lemon Spread
There’s no need for a canning kit to make this small-batch blueberry preserve—all you need are blueberries, lemon, sugar, salt and a saucepan! This delicious spread adds a taste of summer to everything from ice cream to biscuits for weeks after the berry season ends.




Triple-Berry Chocolate Tart
Fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries shine in this chocolate tart. A ganache filling gives this dessert a sophisticated look and taste, but it’s super-simple to make: All you do is pour hot cream over chocolate and whisk until smooth!




Blueberry Cornmeal Cobbler
Blueberries and cornmeal have long enjoyed each other’s company in muffins, but this twist on a classic summer dessert brings the two together in the best possible way. The cornmeal adds a slight crunch and extra sweetness to the cobbler topping.




Blueberry Lime Shortbread Squares
Sweet-tart lime brings out the best in juicy blueberries. A buttery shortbread crust gives these squares a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the pecan crumble topping offers nice crunch.






Blueberry Cream Pops
Take the heavenly combination of blueberries and cream to a whole new level with these tasty ice pops. If you don’t have pop moulds, feel free to use small paper cups or ice cube trays.




Blueberry Cream Layer Cake
What better way to savour perfectly ripe berries than layering the cooked fruit between fluffy vanilla cake and freshly whipped cream? This stunning dessert is sure to leave your guests impressed.




Blueberry Lemonade
Sip on this berry-licious summer drink as-is, or turn it into your signature summer cocktail by stirring in a splash of vodka or gin.





Blueberry Barbecue Finishing Glaze
The sour-sweet flavour of blueberries lends itself beautifully to savoury uses, too, such as in this colourful barbecue sauce. Fresh garlic and balsamic vinegar balance out the fruity flavour and keep this sauce out of dessert territory.




Roasted Blueberries
Roasting brings out the inherent sweetness and dramatic colour of fresh blueberries. Plus, it breaks them down into a chunky sauce that is delicious served over ice cream, yogurt or French toast.



Got a sweet tooth? Find five of our best berry desserts here.