How To Store Blackberries So They Don’t Turn Gross, According to Driscoll’s

I love it when blackberries are plentiful. They’re so tasty on a salad, mixed into a smoothie, or just eaten as a sweet, vibrant snack. I buy them often when they're in season, but sometimes they get pushed to the back of the produce bin and when I find them, they’re soft and moldy.

Eat them fast and keep them cool, suggests Frances Dillard, Vice President of Marketing at Driscoll’s, the California-based company that sells strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

“For best results, Driscoll’s recommends refrigerating your unwashed blackberries in their original container for up to two days,” Dillard says. “Refrigeration will extend their freshness and overall shelf life.”

Don’t leave them out on the counter or in a fruit bowl unless you are planning to eat them that day. Blackberries can go bad quickly, particularly when kept too warm or too wet.

Though you might be tempted to wash blackberries as soon as you get them home from the grocery store or farmers market, it’s best to keep them as dry as possible. Moisture is a berry’s enemy and can encourage mold to grow.

The Best Container for Storing Fresh Blackberries

Dillard recommends that you keep blackberries in the package they came in. “All fresh berries are extremely perishable which is why Driscoll’s recommends keeping the berries in their original package while stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them,” she says. 

Before you store them, remove any moldy, discolored, or soft berries from the bunch. To keep them dry, it can help to put a paper towel underneath them inside the package to help absorb moisture. Don’t put them in an airtight container; they need circulation.

The ideal place to keep blackberries is in the crisper drawer, set to low humidity. Avoid the spots that are extra cold because that can cause the berries to freeze. Check your fridge thermometer: Blackberries do best between 32°F and 34°F, Dillard says.

How Long Blackberries Last

Even when stored correctly, blackberries don’t stay fresh for long. “Under ideal conditions, our blackberries can stay plump and juicy for up to two days,” says Dillard.

Blackberries should be dark blue/black, plump, and firm when you buy them. Don’t buy berries if there are any moldy ones in the container. Dillard recommends that you check for mold as a sign that berries are past their prime and need to be composted. If berries are just starting to go soft, use them in pies or baked goods or freeze them for smoothies.

When you’re ready to use them, gently rinse them under cool, running water. “To enhance their natural flavors, we recommend letting the blackberries reach room temperature before serving,” she says.