General benefits of dried blueberries are varied due to the fact that they contain a large number of potent antioxidants.

Our scientists are still working relentlessly to uncover all the wonders of phytonutrients hidden within these bluish berries. Due to the fact that dried blueberries are packed with dietary fiber and nutrients, while being completely free of fat, anyone can eat them. A sensitivity to blueberries is highly uncommon.

Dehydrated Vs. Freeze Dried Blueberries

As fresh berries don't keep well, the best way to enjoy blueberries out of season is the dry them. There are two technologies used for this purpose today, dehydration and freeze drying.

Nutritionally, the difference between dehydrated and freeze dried blueberries isn't significant. However, their shape is very different. While dried blueberries look shriveled and small due to the fact that water leaves them gradually. Freeze-dried goods mostly retain their original shape. They can also be re-hydrated faster. The bad news is that they get somewhat brittle due to the process. Note that the shelf-life of dehydrated foods is usually longer, and, arguably, they taste much better.

Organic Dried Blueberries from Food To Live are dehydrated using top-quality equipment.

Please remember that dehydration significantly reduces both size and weight of the blueberries. This means that a cup of fresh fruits contains fewer actual berries, fewer calories, and less sugar than the same amount of dried blueberries. You should take this into account when replacing fresh berries with dried in your recipes.

Dried Blueberries: Nutrition

The nutritional value of blueberries is so high, they are considered one of the most antioxidant-dense foods in the world. Dried Blueberries from Food To Live allow you to get all that power of precious phytonutrients.

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Iron
• Manganese

Homemade Dried Blueberries

You can dehydrate dried blueberries yourself, but the process is rather cumbersome. You'll have to 'crack' the skin of the berries so that the liquid from within can evaporate efficiently. This requires boiling them for about a minute and them immediately immersing fruits in ice-cold water. Using a vegetable steamer basket and a large pot would be most efficient for this task. Note that boiling would destroy some nutrients. Vitamin C, in particular, is highly vulnerable to heat.

After you 'process' the berries in such a way, you can dry them using an oven, as you would any other fruit/vegetable. This should take about 4-5 hours with the heat at 140F. You'll need to stir them occasionally so that they don't get stuck to the baking sheet.

Almost every American has their own special recipe for a blueberries pie and muffins with these fruits are a staple for every bakery. Dried blueberries can be enjoyed in a great number of ways. You can eat them as they are when you need to much on something in the middle of the day. However, it's more common to sprinkle them on morning cereal.

A dried blueberries smoothie would taste fantastic if you add banana, apple, and a dash of vanilla to it. This would be a great drink to enjoy after a workout. Remember that dried blueberries contain no fat.

Dried blueberries in light syrup would taste fantastic and can be a great addition to many desserts.

Dried Blueberries Muffins Recipe

Like everyone else, we at Food To Live have our own favorite dried blueberries muffins recipe. It's 100% vegan and very easy to make, so you can enjoy baking the treats with your kids.

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ cup dried blueberries
• ½ cup sugar
• ¾ cup soymilk
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

1. Combine all dry ingredients and stir them together carefully.
2. Add milk (mixed with oil) by pouring it gradually and mixing all the time. This would prevent lumps.
3. Finally, add dried blueberries to the dough. You can soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes beforehand.
4. Bake the muffins for 20-30 minutes at 400F.

Store Your Dried Blueberries Right

Like any dried fruits, our Organic Dried Blueberries should be stored in an airtight container. It's essential for such foods to keep them away from humidity.

It's best to store them in a cool and dry place, like your pantry. However, if you want to push their 'life expectancy' to the max, you should keep dried blueberries in the fridge.

Bear in mind that home-dried blueberries may not be quite as long-lasting as they can't be dehydrated so thoroughly in a regular oven.

As dried blueberries don't contain any fat (oils), they can't go rancid, like nuts or some grains. The only threat to them is mold that comes with moisture. Although, you should always abide the 'Best By' date.