It’s officially blackberry season! With a rich, earthy flavor, blackberries are in season from July through August. The jewel-tone beauties delicious in all sorts of blackberry recipes, and are full of fiber, antioxidants, and other powerful nutrients to help keep your body and heart in top shape. Blackberries are low in calories and carbs, and have high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C. They also contain certain acids that have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

While a diet and lifestyle rich with plenty of fruits and vegetables is endlessly beneficial to one’s health, it’s important to select, wash, and store blackberries properly. Here's the right way to wash blackberries, including tips for storing the berries so they stay fresh.

How to Choose the Best Blackberries

Whether you’re buying from a farmers market or the supermarket, look for berries that are plump, juicy, and fully colored throughout the entire fruit. Avoid berries that appear dehydrated or soft, and inspect packaged berries for any signs of mold. If picking berries from the plant, select ones that separate easily from their stems.

How to Wash Blackberries

Here are two Test Kitchen-approved methods for washing blackberries. Berries readily absorb water, which can cause them to quickly get moldy or mushy, so wait to wash them until just before you use them.

Rinse with Water: "To wash away any dirt or contaminates, place the berries in a colander and rinse with cold running water," explains Lynn Blanchard, Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen director. Drain well and gently pat dry with paper towels.

Soak the Berries: For very ripe blackberries, we recommend a soak rather than a rinse. Place the blackberries in a colander and gently dip them in a bowl of cold water. Lightly move the colander to circulate the water and drain thoroughly. This method also works well for washing raspberries.

Tips for Washing Blackberries

Here are a few of our Test Kitchen's best tips for washing blackberries.

• "To prolong the life of your blackberries, try a vinegar soak. Add the berries to a bowl with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and let soak for 20 minutes," says Sarah Brekke, M.S., Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen brand manager. After the soak, gently rinse the berries with cool water and lightly pat dry with paper towels. Getting the completely berries dry after washing is essential in this process to ensure the best storage.
  
• Ensure berries are completely dry before storing. Excess moisture can speed up spoilage!
• "Produce washes haven’t been thoroughly evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness, so we don’t recommend their use," says Brekke.

How to Store Blackberries

Store unwashed berries in a single layer in a loosely covered container in the refrigerator. Depending on the type, berries will last from 3 days up to 7 days when stored properly. Here are a few tips for storing blackberries. Don’t store blackberries in their plastic packaging. Supermarket blackberries often come in crowded plastic containers and can mold quickly.

To freeze blackberries, place berries (rinsed and patted dry) in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. Place baking sheet in the freezer and allow berries to freeze until solid, 1 to 2 hours. Transfer frozen berries to a freezer-safe container; seal and label. Freeze up to 6 months.