Season: Blueberries are in season locally in spring and summer; due to imports they can be available year-round.

Purchase: Look for firm, large, plump, full-colored blueberries free of moisture with few stems in dry, unstained containers. Blueberries should be a deep, purple-blue to blue-black color with a silver frost. Reddish berries are not ripe, but may be used in cooking.

Avoid: Color is the best indicator of blueberry maturity and
flavor, so avoid blueberries that are green. Avoid dull, lifeless, or mushy blueberries or berries with any mold.

Storage: Blueberries store in the refrigerator for 5 or 6 days, as long as they are kept dry.