Get to Know the Ingredient
Blueberries are simple, healthful and delicious in every form! Fresh and frozen, canned and freeze-dried, juice and puree – you have endless opportunities to add a boost of blue, on menus or in products.
The perfect blueberry offering starts with quality ingredients. Over the years, the blueberry industry has made meaningful advances to ensure only the best product enters the market. Grown by domestic and international farmers who have a passion for producing the most delicious, high-quality fruit, your blueberries will be available year-round, in a consistent and reliable supply that meets your needs.
For R&D teams, blueberries’ low labor and low-waste qualities make them a favorite among chefs and manufacturers alike. And with varied forms, specs and packaging available to you, the possibilities for innovation are endless!
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Process
Blueberries get harvested, pre-cooled, sorted and packed for delivery
Packaging
Plastic clam shells; bulk cartons
Characteristics
Available year round; fresh or glazed topping for cakes
Storage
32° to 34°F (-0.6° to 1 °C);
90-95% relative humidity
Available Formats
Individually quick frozen (IQF) and case frozen blueberries
Process
Blueberries get harvested, pre-cooled, washed, dried and packed in poly-lined cartons; IQF berries are individually quick frozen prior to packing
Packaging
Poly-lined corrugated cartons; poly-lined metal drums; totes; poly bags (IQF only); other containers
Characteristics
Case frozen blueberries are a popular bakery ingredient. IQF berries provide the individual fresh fruit identity, so any formulation where fruit identify is important would benefit from IQF.
Storage
0° to -10°F (-18° to -23°C)
Process
Fresh or frozen blueberries get air-dehydrated; further processed to dried fruit specs
Packaging
Poly-lined corrugated cartons; sacks; totes; other containers
Characteristics
Moisture: 11-18%;
Water Activity: 0.5-0.6
Storage
Shelf stable in a cool, dry place;
70°F (21 °C) and 50% relative humidity
Available Formats
Whole, sliced or diced blueberries in sugar or fruit juice
Process
Fresh or frozen blueberries get infused with a syrup and then dehydrated; further processed to dried fruit specs
Packaging
Poly-lined corrugated cartons; sacks; totes; other containers
Characteristics
Moisture: 11-16%;
Lower moisture available;
Water Activity: <.65% (sweetened)
Storage
Shelf stable in a cool, dry place;
70°F (21 °C) or less and 50% relative humidity
Available Formats
Whole, powdered or pieces of freeze-dried blueberries
Process
Fresh or frozen blueberries get flash-frozen, then placed in a vacuum chamber for moisture removal; may be further processed (i.e., for powder, pieces)
Packaging
Poly-lined corrugated cartons; sacks; totes; other containers
Characteristics
Moisture: 2% maximum
Storage
Shelf stable at room temperature for 3 months; after that, store at 40°F (4°C)
Available Formats
Frozen and aseptic
Process
Fresh blueberries get crushed, heat/enzyme treated, vacuum concentrated, then pasteurized, packaged and frozen
Packaging
Plastic pails; poly-lined metal drums
Characteristics
Brix: 20.0-45.0° (or as specified)*;
pH: 2.5-3.7*;
Acidity: 0.75-4.5% @ 30° Brix*
Storage
Frozen: 0° to -10°F (-18° to -23°C);
Aseptic: <75° F (24 ° C)
Available Formats
Aseptic and frozen
Process
Fresh blueberries get crushed, heat/enzyme treated, vacuum concentrated, then packaged and frozen
Packaging
Bag-in-box (aseptic); plastic pails (frozen); poly-lined metal drums (both); totes (both)
Storage
Aseptic: <75° F (24 ° C);
Frozen: 0° to -10°F (-18° to -23°C)
Characteristics
Aseptic:
Brix: 32.5°, pH: 2.5-3.8*;
Acidity: 1.2-4.0%, as citric*;
Dilution rate: 2.57 : 1
Frozen:
Brix: 65°, pH: 2.5-3.8*;
Acidity: 2.0-8.0%, as citric*;
Dilution rate: 7.2 : 1
Process
Fresh or frozen blueberries get placed in cans, with light or heavy syrup added, then sealed and heated
Packaging
Cans: #300, #2, #2-1/2, #10; other sizes
Characteristics
Various levels of fruit content depending on supplier and application
Storage
Shelf stable in a cool, dry place
*Varies with crop year
For more information regarding the process, packaging and storage of these forms, please download our “Blueberry Forms” resource. You’ll find there are even more blueberry forms and specifications available to you, including Halal, Kosher and organic certifications.
In need of a supplier? Visit our Blueberry Supplier Database to get in touch with industry members to help meet your needs.
“Blueberries are an essential ingredient that consumers demand. Flavorful, versatile, nutritious, blueberries add taste, texture, and vibrant color to a wide variety of foods!”
Brenna Nugent
Marketing & Communications Manager, Graceland Fruit, Inc.
