Strawberries

Buying: Select plump berries with a natural shine, rich red color and bright green caps. Avoid bruised, molded or soft berries.

Storing: Refrigerate berries as immediately as possible after purchase. (The optimal temperature to keep them at is between 33° and 34° F.) For best results, store your strawberries in the clear clamshell container in which you bought them. For berries that were not in a clear clamshell, transfer them to a large container with a dry paper towel lining the bottom. Don't wash your berries until needed. Keep the green caps on and wash them under cool water. Remove the green caps only after washing. Let strawberries reach room temperature before serving, to maximize their flavor. Strawberries should keep for 2 - 5 days in a refrigerator, but for best flavor and texture, consume them as soon as possible after purchase.

Blueberries

Buying: When buying blueberries from your supermarket look for berries that are firm and plump. Blueberries should be blue in color with a nice bloom (powdery coating). Avoid berries that are moldy or shriveled.

Storing: These are probably the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. For optimal storage, berries should be refrigerated (33°F - 34° F), but not washed until needed. Once chilled, they will maintain their quality for up to two weeks.

The secret to successful freezing is to use berries that are unwashed and completely dry. Discard berries that look bruised or shriveled. Place the berries, still in their original plastic package, in a re-sealable plastic bag or transfer berries to freezer containers or resealable freezer bags. The berries will freeze individually and you can remove just the portion you need. Remember to rinse them before using.

Blackberries

Buying: When buying blackberries, select plump, firm and unblemished berries in dry, unstained containers. The color of blackberries should be shiny and black - not dull or reddish.

Storing: Blackberries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so refrigerate immediately after purchase. Temperatures between 33° F and 34° F are best, but, be careful not to freeze blackberries, unless you intend to use them later in jellies, jams, smoothies, etc. (Fresh blackberries are highly susceptible to freezer damage). As with other berries, don't wash your blackberries until needed. Even under ideal conditions blackberries will only keep for 1 - 3 days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume them as soon as possible after purchase.

Be sure to wash your berries carefully in cold water if you intend to freeze your blackberries for later use in jellies, jams, smoothies, etc. Pack them in freezer-safe containers, or freeze them on a tray and then pack them into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal the container and keep frozen until you are ready to use them.

Raspberries

Buying: When buying fresh raspberries, select unblemished berries in dry, unstained containers. The color of raspberries should be medium to bright red, depending on the variety.

Storing: Raspberries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so refrigerate immediately after purchase. Temperatures between 33° F and 34° F are best, but, be careful not to freeze raspberries, unless you intend to use them later in jellies, jams, smoothies, etc. (Fresh raspberries are highly prone to freezer damage). As with other berries, don't wash your raspberries until needed. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for 1 - 2 days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume them as soon as possible after purchase. Berries should be placed in the refrigerator in a shallow pan lined with paper towels. Wash just prior to use.

Be sure to wash your berries carefully in cold water if you intend to freeze your raspberries for later use in jellies, jams, smoothies, etc. Pack them into freezer-safe containers, or freeze them on a tray and then pack them into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal the container and keep frozen until you are ready to use them.

Cranberries

Buying: When buying cranberries look for bright, plump cranberries. Avoid soft, crushed, or shriveled berries. You'll find cranberries available October through December, during their peak season.

Storing: If refrigerated immediately, cranberries will keep for 4 to 8 weeks. Do not wash cranberries until ready for use, as moisture will cause them to spoil quicker. Naturipe Farms cranberries are easily frozen for longer storage. Freeze cranberries, without pre-washing, in their original container and cover with plastic wrap or just throw them into a freezer bag. You can substitute frozen cranberries in most recipes that call for fresh.

Currants

Buying: When buying red currants, select plump, firm and unblemished berries in dry, unstained containers. The color of currants should be bright red and shinny.

Storing: Store currants in the refrigerator and keep them dry. Before consuming wash in cold water and remove stems. Under perfect conditions currants can only remain fresh from 1-2 days after purchase. To freeze currants, wash and remove stems prior to freezing. Pack fruit in freezer bags or rigid containers. Squeeze as much air as possible from bags before sealing. Whole berries frozen may be placed in a single layer on a tray and frozen until nearly solid. Transfer to freezer bag or containers. Leave a half-inch headspace for expansion in containers.

Gooseberries

Buying: When buying gooseberries select plump, firm and unblemished berries in dry containers.

Storing: Wash gooseberries in cold water and sort prior to using. Gooseberries can stay in your refrigerator for up to two weeks under perfect conditions. Wash gooseberries prior to freezing. Pack fruit in freezer bags or rigid containers. Squeeze as much air as possible from bags before sealing. Whole berries frozen may be placed in a single layer on a tray and frozen until nearly solid. Transfer to freezer bag or containers. Leave a half- inch headspace for expansion in containers.