Timeframes and rules for storing lingonberries at home for the winter

A sweet and sour berry rich in vitamins, lingonberries are stored and preserved for the winter using various methods. The beneficial properties of this taiga beauty, growing on a low-growing bush. Sorting and cleaning the harvested fruit using various methods. Preserving the fruit's beneficial properties during drying, freezing, jam, and other preservation methods. Storing fresh and canned berries at home.

What are the benefits of lingonberries?

The beneficial properties of lingonberries have been known since time immemorial. The berry is rich in vitamins, micro- and macroelements, minerals, and other beneficial substances.

Fresh fruits, decoctions, and infusions are used for many ailments. They are helpful for diabetes, as they contain a large amount of copper, gout, reducing uric acid levels, and cystitis. Externally, they are useful for sore throats, scabies, ulcers, and ringworm.

Lingonberry is beneficial for low acidity, hypertension, and fever, as it enhances the effects of antibiotics and helps restore strength after a prolonged illness. It also helps remove heavy metals from the body. It boosts immunity and helps prevent colds.

How to quickly sort through your harvest

After harvesting a large crop, you might wonder how to clean the fruit of so much debris. There are several effective cleaning methods available. Which one to choose depends on the degree and type of contamination of the harvested fruit.

Cleaning on a rough surface

To remove debris from the harvested fruit, create a sloping trough. Line the bottom of the device with a rough cloth and roll the berries down the trough in small portions. As you clean, debris will remain on the surface of the cloth, and the fruit will roll into a basin.

Sifting in the wind

This cleaning method is suitable for windy conditions. Place a wide basin on the ground, and raise a small container with the harvested fruit about one and a half meters into the air. Begin pouring the fruit out in small portions. The wind will blow away the debris, and the clean berries will fall into the prepared container.

Using a vacuum cleaner

Dry berries can be quickly vacuumed. Place a small amount of fruit in a sieve and direct air flow from below. Attach the vacuum hose to the exhaust port.

Using a wide mesh

When picking lingonberries in the forest, not only twigs and small leaves but also sand and soil particles end up in the container. This contamination can be removed using a wide net. Place it at an angle, lay plastic wrap underneath, or place a large container underneath, and slowly pour the berries out.

Storing lingonberries fresh

Preserving the berries' vitamins and other beneficial properties depends on the storage location and method. Filtered water, with or without sugar, will help keep the berries fresh. Soaking lingonberries is a good idea. This way, the berries will retain their vitamins and flavor.

Fruits twisted with sugar, which have not been exposed to temperature, can be stored in the refrigerator for quite a long time.

If the berries are unripe, they are not recommended for consumption. Fruits picked too early have a bitter taste. Unripe lingonberries are spread on a sheet covered with parchment paper and taken out to the balcony. The berries ripen within a few days.

Storage containers

When choosing storage containers, it's best to choose a wooden container or wicker basket. Glass containers and paper bags are also suitable.

Conditions and duration of berry storage

Due to its high antioxidant content, lingonberries have a good shelf life and are resistant to rot. For example, berries stored in a wicker basket can last for two months in a cool place.

Product expiration date

The shelf life of the product depends on the method of preparation and storage location of the berries.

1. Lingonberries in their own juice can be stored for up to seven months.
2. Frozen fruits can be stored for a year.
3. The berries cannot stay in the room for more than ten days.
4. Soaked lingonberries can be stored in the refrigerator for twelve months.

Where to store lingonberries at home

After harvesting lingonberries in late summer, many people want to preserve their flavor and nutritional value longer. This can be achieved by following simple rules for storing the fruit at home.

Storage in a basement or cellar

To store lingonberries in a cellar or basement, maintain an optimal temperature of between three and five degrees Celsius. Whole, undamaged berries are placed in a basket or wooden box. Under these conditions, the berries will keep for three months.

In the room

Fresh lingonberries will keep for ten days indoors, as long as the room temperature doesn't exceed 25 degrees Celsius. Wash the berries, dry them on a napkin, and place them in a basket.

In the refrigerator or freezer

Berries will keep in the refrigerator for about a month. To do this, remove any overripe or damaged berries. Wash the lingonberries and dry them on a kitchen towel. Place them in a container, seal, and store them in the crisper drawer. When freezing the berries, separate them into suitable bags so they can be used all at once and don't need to be frozen again. Frozen berries will keep for up to a year.

How to prepare lingonberries for the winter

Knowing the benefits of lingonberries, many housewives stock up on this vitamin-rich berry for the winter. There are several ways to preserve them.

Note! Berries should be picked only in ecologically clean areas, away from roads, as they tend to absorb harmful substances and may become toxic.

In the form of jam

An easy way to preserve lingonberries is to make jam the classic way.

Necessary products:

• 900 grams of lingonberries;
• 1100 grams of granulated sugar;
• 200 milliliters of water.

Wash whole, well-ripened berries under running water and let them sit for a few minutes to remove excess moisture. Place the berries in a suitable container and pour boiling water over them. Drain the liquid after seven minutes.

Separately, bring the required amount of water and sugar to a boil, then add the fruit. Simmer the jam for ten minutes. After cooking, cover the dessert with a lid and let it steep for ten hours. After this time, boil the jam for another ten minutes, then pour into steamed jars. Seal tightly.

Lingonberries soaked in water

The benefit of soaked lingonberries lies in the preservation of a large amount of vitamins in the berries and lingonberry water.

You will need the following components:

• 1.5 kilograms of lingonberries;
• 1.5 liters of purified water;
• 150 grams of sugar;
• a coffee spoon of salt.

Add salt and sugar to the water, place on the stove, and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Sort the berries, wash, and dry on a paper towel. Place the berries in a sterilized bottle and pour the cooled liquid over them. Close with a nylon lid and store in the refrigerator.

Freezing

Berries picked within 24 hours are ideal for freezing. They should be sorted, washed, and laid out in a single layer on a kitchen towel to remove moisture.

There shouldn't be a lot of ice in the bag of frozen lingonberries.

Place the dried berries in special freezer bags. Place in the freezer. Store for no more than twelve months.

Storing lingonberries in sugar

Place a kilogram of washed and dried lingonberries in a sterile jar. Sprinkle the layers of lingonberries with sugar; you'll need a kilogram of granulated sugar in total. Shake the jar, close it with a nylon lid, and place it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Drying berries

Place the lingonberries in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in an oven preheated to 60 degrees Celsius. Stir the berries as they dry. Cool the dried berries and place them in a cloth bag.

Preparations in syrup

Making lingonberries in syrup is very easy – it doesn’t take much time to prepare.

Ingredients required:

• a kilogram of lingonberries;
• 300 grams of fine sugar;
• zest of one lemon;
• 500 milliliters of water.

Add sugar and grated lemon zest to hot water and simmer for five minutes. Cool until lukewarm. Place the cleaned berries in a steamed jar and pour the cooled syrup over them. Seal tightly.

Canning in its own juice

For preservation you need to take:

• a kilogram of lingonberries;
• 0.5 kilograms of sugar.

Pour two tablespoons of water into the bottom of a cooking container, add the washed berries, and place over low heat. Cook for ten minutes, stirring constantly and adding sugar. Then, arrange the berries in sterilized jars, pour boiling syrup over them, and seal.

Another way to store lingonberries in their own juice without heat treatment is to use a wooden barrel or bottle. Washed lingonberries are poured into the prepared container to a depth of one and a half matchboxes. Press firmly and cover with a two-centimeter layer of sugar. This fills the entire container. The berries are placed as the final layer. The tightly sealed container is kept in a warm place for two days to allow the juice to release better. Then, it is taken to a cool cellar.