Blackberries are delicious served with cream or ice cream. They can be used in dishes such as blackberry pie, blackberry cobbler, and blackberry crumble. You can make jam, syrup, and wine out of them and add them to cakes and muffins.
However, their season is short so what if you have a glut of them? They only last for around three days in the fridge so can you freeze them? The simple answer is yes and they do, in fact, freeze well. In this article, we will tell you how to freeze blackberries and how to defrost them.
How To Freeze Blackberries
1. Remove damaged and soft berries.
2. Wash and dry the blackberries.
Put the berries in a colander and run them under cold water. Alternatively, fill your sink with cold water and dip the colander into it. Once you have done this, dry the blackberries thoroughly. You don’t want to freeze them if they are still wet as ice crystals can form. These will make the berries mushy and may ruin the flavor.
3. Flash freeze.
Flash freezing will stop the blackberries from clumping together. Get a baking tray and put a sheet of parchment paper on it. Lay out the berries, making sure that they don’t touch each other. Put the tray in the freezer for three to four hours.
4. Put the blackberries in a freezer bag.
Make sure that you squeeze all the air out of the freezer bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Freezer burn will ruin the taste and texture of your blackberries. Put a label on the bag so that you know when you put it in the freezer.
5. Freeze until needed.
You will then be able to take out as many berries as you want without waste.
This method of freezing works just as well for other berries and small fruits.
Can You Freeze Blackberries Without Washing Them?
Yes, you can freeze blackberries without washing them but what’s the point? You will want them to be clean when you come to use them so why not spend a few minutes cleaning them before freezing? In many cases, you can use blackberries from frozen, such as in smoothies, so you won’t have an opportunity to wash them. The last thing you want are bits of dirt and debris in your drink or dish.
Tips For Freezing Blackberries
- Flash-freezeeze the blackberries before you bag them up so that they don’t stick together. This will allow you to remove only as many berries as you need.
- Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
- Bag up a mixture of berries such as raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries together with the blackberries. You can then have a mixed berry smoothie or pie.
- Make desserts with your blackberries and freeze them. Crumbles and pies freeze particularly well.
For How Long Can You Freeze Blackberries?
Blackberries can be kept in the freezer for up to six months so you will be able to enjoy them during the winter when they are not in season. After this time, they will start to deteriorate. The texture will change, and they may become mushy. They may also lose some of their flavor. Six months is a decent time so you shouldn’t need to keep them in the freezer any longer.
How Do You Defrost Blackberries
The way that you defrost your blackberries depends on how you intend to use them. If you are putting them on top of yogurt or cereal, or are having them with cream or ice cream, you will need to defrost them in the fridge. Take them out of the freezer, put the berries in a bowl, and leave them in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. However, if you want to use your blackberries in a smoothie, a dessert, or a cake, you can use them straight from frozen.
Can You Refreeze Blackberries?
It’s not a good idea to refreeze blackberries. They will lose taste and texture, probably becoming mushy. The nutritional value might also be compromised and at worst, the blackberries could start to go bad.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Blackberries?
Yes, it’s a great idea to freeze blackberries. They freeze well and you can enjoy them throughout the winter. Always remember to flash freeze them for the best results. In fact, most berries freeze well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing blackberries but in case you still have some questions, we have answered a few here.
What would be a delicious smoothie to make with blackberries?
A tasty smoothie would be a mix of blackberries, bananas, milk, Greek yogurt, and honey.
Blackberry puree is simple to make. All you have to do is heat up the blackberries with water and honey or sugar and you’re good to go. It can be used to top ice cream, cake, waffles, and pancakes, in salad dressings and marinades, to make salsa, and in juices and smoothies. However, can you freeze it? Yes, you can and the best way to do this is by using the ice cube tray method. Pour the puree into the slots of an ice cube tray and cover the tray in clingfilm. Ensure that you don’t fill the slots to the top as the puree will probably expand when put in the freezer. Put them in the freezer for about six hours or until they are frozen solid. Then, remove the cubes from the tray and put them in a freezer bag. Squeeze out all the air from the bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Put the bag back in the freezer. The cubes won’t stick together so you can remove just the amount you need.
Yes, you can freeze blackberry wine but it freezes at a lower temperature than water because of the alcohol content, around 15 degrees F. It is safe to drink but you may notice a slight change in taste. However, it isn’t a good idea to freeze a full bottle of blackberry wine as the liquid will expand and the bottle may crack and make a mess in your freezer.
You will often find that your blackberries turn red during the freezing process. This is nothing to worry about. They will still taste the same. The change happens because of the sudden temperature change from room temperature to freezing.
