Fresh berries are a summer staple and I just can’t get enough of them, particularly blueberries and strawberries. I have them with oatmeal and nuts and in drinks, but if you don’t eat them fast they go bad. And they can be expensive. You probably know this and some of you may avoid buying berries because they do rot fast and can be costly. To have fresh berries at a reasonable cost, stock up on them when they’re on sale and freeze them after cleaning them. I use this method with blueberries:

1 Wash and dry blueberries as you normally do.
2. Place them on a cookie sheet without them touching.
3. Place in freezer and let them remain about an hour.
4. Take cookie sheet out of freezer then place blueberries in a freezer bag.
5. Place berries back in freezer.

As you may have already guessed, using this method helps blueberries not to stick to each other. This way you can get out as many as you want without having to unthaw the entire package. When I used frozen blueberries in hot cereal, like oatmeal, I first run cool water on them to help them unthaw. I also do this if I want to eat them alone. The water must not be hot because hot water unthaws the skin too fast, leaving it tough and hard to chew and shallow. I also eat them frozen and use them in the juicer. I have yet to begin making smoothies but I’ve read so many articles that suggest using frozen fruits in your blended drinks. This way you get a cold drink without diluting the taste of your drink.

Though I haven’t used this method with other berries, like raspberries or strawberries, I think I will and I’ll let you know how they turn out. Even still, go ahead, stock up on fresh berries. They are high in antioxidants and blueberries work well fresh or frozen.