Frozen Berries

[whatgoingon]

I wonder why frozen berries are so sour. I have to put a bunch of sugar on them so I can eat them. I don't buy fresh because they get wasted.

[Hidden]

Maybe they are picked before they are quite ripe? Leaving them to get properly ripe risks them being softer and therefore more likely to be damaged. People want to see whole berries not mush when they buy them. Try limiting yourself to a teaspoon of caster sugar, it might be enough.

[Fran182716 Prediabetic]

I had the same experience, but I discovered that fresh raspberries and blueberries freeze and defrost very well so now I just buy the fresh ones and wash and freeze what I won’t eat over the next 2/3 days. Strawberries don’t fare so well, they taste as good but the texture goes mushy, they are still fine for stirring into yoghurt or porridge though.

[Cooper27 Administrator]

I think it depends on the berries, but they're usually more sour if picked slightly before peak ripeness, and they get sweeter as they ripen/pass beyond ripe.

I tend to quite like sour fruits, but if I ever do put sugar on, I don't think it really sweetens the fruit. I know someone who recommends a dusting of black pepper to make them sweeter, which might be worth a shot.

I'm maybe wondering why you persevere with the berries, if you dislike them?

[whatgoingon in reply to Cooper27]

I understand they are good for your health. Thank you for your reply.

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to whatgoingon]

If there are other fruits and veggies you enjoy without sugar, it's worth focussing on them for now Our taste buds like to evolve with time, so if you keep working on reducing sugar intake, you might find the berries become more palatable after a little while.

[happytulip]

I started buying frozen berries when I heard a programme on radio 4. The subject of discussion was which fruit had the most nutritional value. Supermarket fresh, tinned or frozen. The nutritionalist and dietician said that frozen berries were the best.

I have my own supply in the summer months and I freeze them very well but when I run out I prefer frozen.

I also eat frozen raspberries as an alternative to ice lollies or desserts as I try to avoid added sugar etc.

[happytulip]

If you squeeze a dash of lemon juice on them they tend to sweeten. My Italian housemate taught me that when we were at uni. 😃