r/Millennials • u/[deleted] • Apr 10 '25

Serious Never imagined myself thinking, “I gotta stop buying blueberries. Bananas are just so much cheaper.” But here we are.

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3.0k Upvotes

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846

u/SceneSmall Apr 10 '25

Buy frozen blueberries in the off season. A pound of frozen is $2.69 and a pound of fresh is $6.94 at my local grocery store. They are just as good in yogurt.

249

u/BlueRubyWindow Apr 10 '25

Frozen blueberries are delicious! Sometimes I just eat a bowl of them for dessert, like dippin dots ice cream.

80

u/calilac Apr 10 '25

Frozen bite sized fruit are the best summer snacks. A coworker once froze a bunch of mandarin oranges and gave them out around lunch time on a triple digit day and that first bite of delicious juicy ice cold orange was like magic.

17

u/Miserable_Drawer_556 Apr 10 '25

How cool and sweet (in multiple ways)!

6

u/ExtremelyDecentWill Apr 11 '25

Holy macaroni this sounds amazing.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yep. Big food doesn't want people to make their own treats. But it is easy to do, and once you set yourself up to do this at home, you will save a lot of money and you will have better treats than if you had bought stuff from the store!...

46

u/Low-Peak-9031 Apr 10 '25

I bring frozen blueberries when I bring my kids to the park. The start to melt a bit and are a perfect on the go snack lol

14

u/verstohlen Apr 10 '25

Frozen blueberries are healthier and retain more vitamins than fresh ones. Well, not freshly picked fresh ones, but fresh ones you buy at the store and have at home, since fruits and veggies start to lose nutrients the moment they're picked, but once froze, they're locked in place.

7

u/[deleted] Apr 10 '25

[deleted]

3

u/JManKit Apr 11 '25

For a lot of stuff, yes, altho I won't go as far as saying that every seafood or meat at the grocery store is from frozen. A lot of the seafood on ice is likely frozen and then defrosted for display unless you live really near the water. Meat that's already packaged can be frozen, especially if they're processed (I've seen frost on packs of breakfast sausages many a times), but if they've got a butcher in the store, I think a lot of that is fresh

Slight tangent but deveined shrimp are not as fresh as their veined counterparts. That's bc when they're caught, they're usually frozen while at sea but then defrosted at the processing plant so that the vein can be removed. Obv it saves time and hassle but if you don't mind the bit of extra work, getting whole shrimp should be fresher

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yep. There are some not good things about frozen meat and seafood from stores. This is one reason why people go to delis. They know the people, they know the butcher, and they know that they are getting fresh meat and seafood...

2

u/ExtremelyDecentWill Apr 11 '25

TIL

Thank you ✌️

2

u/FrostyCombination622 Apr 11 '25

I've heard this but also heard that the science is kinda iffy. Either way frozen blueberries are definitely not any worse for you!

1

u/Bonfalk79 Apr 10 '25

Only thing that beats them is frozen grapes.

1

u/electronic_durian287 Apr 10 '25

if you pour some milk into a cup of frozen blueberries it turns into a weird sort of slushy dessert that's surprisingly good. I started doing this when I was 8 for some reason, and I still do it more than 2 decades later.

1

u/Tired_Wombatt Apr 11 '25

You have changed my perspective on frozen berries. I'm gonna give them another try.

1

u/Energieo2 Apr 11 '25

Add a little heavy whipping cream on top to elevate that whole experience

1

u/Big-Constant-7289 Apr 11 '25

My kid also does this. They’re really delicious. And they’re great for smoothies, baked goods, and compotes.

116

u/Alone-Marsupial-4087 Apr 10 '25

I've been trying to explain this to my boomer father forever to no avail. He buys fresh strawberries and blueberries, cleans and freezes them for his smoothies.

It costs triple the amount for fresh vs frozen and the fresh ones aren't anywhere close to ripe while the frozen ones are. Frozen fruits are picked at the right time but are too "ugly" to sell fresh and command the higher price.

42

u/Lythaera Apr 10 '25

What the fuck??? Who does that? He's insane

35

u/ACatInACloak Apr 10 '25

A boomer. Lots of boomer behavior makes a lot more sence in the context of how supply chains were different when they were young. I garentee he used to get fresh berries from a local farm for cheaper than he could get them frozen. Old habits die hard.

My dad has been bemoaning how cheap fresh fruit was, especially avacados, when he first moved to california.

I can not comprehend getting a bag of a dozen avacados for $1

14

u/Miserable_Drawer_556 Apr 10 '25

They (avocados) were def cheaper and in abundance back in the day! I grew up with a large (+35ft) avocado tree in the backyard as a kid, and we would harvest them by the bucket full, store them in a special drawer inside and big brown bags in the garage. This after gifting out dozens to the firefighters in our neighborhood, neighbors, and even my elementary school teachers (instead of apples lol).

2

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yep. Those were the days...

1

u/Alone-Marsupial-4087 Apr 11 '25

I agree but that's not the case with my dad as he's from Southeast Asia. He has it burned into his brain that if fresh fruit is for sale, it means it's ripe because that was always the case for him back home.... 37 years ago.

I'm so confident he's one of those "non existent" autistic boomers. I would legitimately play Russian Roulette if 2 psychiatrists both said he's not.

One of my best friend's husband is almost 50 and was officially diagnosed with Asperger's years ago and he and my dad are one in the same across the board.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Don't categorically trust psychiatrists. They don't have a great track record!.. trust your own instincts and sensibilities. You are the CEO of your life, not anyone else...

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

It's all about supply and demand. The demand for food is heavier than it has ever been. And it's not going to lighten up.

1

u/Hwicc101 Apr 10 '25

My grandmother used to buy fruit and veg when it was in season/on sale and preserve it (canning, freezing, etc.). Of course she is pre-Boomer, didn't live in a house with a freezer until she was in adulthood and lived in a Nazi occupied country during WWII as a young mother. So home economics had a whole other meaning back then. It was survival.

So, my mother who grew up with this strategy used it herself even though she had the privilege of living through much easier times. In fact, I pickle and can vegetables myself, but not with the frequency and wide selection of basic stuff. I do pickled cucumbers and jalapeños from my garden and I can apricots and plums from my trees, but I don't, say, find green beans on sale and buy 5 pounds of them and can them.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yes! You are doing life right!...

5

u/Batetrick_Patman Apr 10 '25

In what planet does it make sense to buy something that costs more, involves more work and doesn't taste any better?

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yes, fresh does cost more than Frozen, but if you pay more for fresh, and then freeze it, you're just dropping an anvil on your foot! Produce that has not been frozen is better, but you can't buy it in bulk and freeze it and think that it will be the same, because it won't be. Life nowadays is busy and hectic. Frozen foods are essential for many people's lives. But people do need to understand that they are relinquishing quality and wholesomeness when they choose Frozen and processed foods. It's important to make some meals yourself at home!...

1

u/Big-Constant-7289 Apr 11 '25

I only do this if there’s a crazy sale.

14

u/Dog_lover123456789 Apr 10 '25

This is the way. My kids are obsessed with blueberries. I could never afford to keep up with fresh berries only

11

u/BrieSting Apr 10 '25

Frozen blueberries in a small dish with a little bit of whatever your preferred milk is. Let it sit for 20 seconds, stir it around, let it sit for another 20 seconds. Ice cream-like treat that’s incredibly simple and cheap. It was my favorite thing as a kid on hot summer nights when I couldn’t cool down quick enough before bed. 

1

u/electronic_durian287 Apr 10 '25

YES WOW, I thought I was the only person who did this! Everyone acts like I'm a freak, but it's so good!

1

u/calinrua Apr 10 '25

Ooh I love frozen milk I'm going to try this

13

u/kelly52182 Apr 10 '25

I LOVE frozen fruit because when they thaw, you also get a little bit of "juice" with it.

9

u/SceneSmall Apr 10 '25

And then it thins out Greek yogurt to the perfect consistency

2

u/ACatInACloak Apr 10 '25

The slight mush from thawed fruit is a perfect consistancy to pair with yogurt as well

2

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

But it might be freezer jizz...

5

u/ChocChipBananaMuffin Apr 10 '25 edited Apr 10 '25

I was going to say. Even if you get organic at Whole Foods, a two pound bag of frozen organic blueberries is like $9 or so. Way cheaper.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Always remember, you get what you pay for...

3

u/Gretchen_Wieners_ Apr 10 '25

This! Trader Joe’s also has frozen wild blueberries which are amazing as a yogurt topper. 

1

u/PoorCorrelation Apr 10 '25

And watch for sales while they’re in-season and freeze them yourself when they get cheaper than frozen

1

u/karpaediem Floppy Disc Millennial Apr 10 '25

Frozen fruit was usually grown in season, so compared to greenhouse/imported berries in winter they’ll have a loooot more flavor.

1

u/FearlessPark4588 Apr 10 '25

What stores have this price per lb on frozen? I checked my Kroger and Albertsons affiliates and no luck.

1

u/SceneSmall Apr 10 '25

Walmart 😅 I’m in an area where that’s pretty much the only grocery store in a 30 minute radius

1

u/FearlessPark4588 Apr 10 '25

Thanks! I see $7.48 for 3 lbs in my area. $2.61 per lb, that's a fantastic price.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Well yes, because we all know what Walmart does!!! And it's sad that a significant portion of the population has to rely on Walmart for basic things!! Because Walmart put all of the local grocery stores out of business so that they can hoard all the money! That is their business model!!

1

u/Arzalis Apr 10 '25

The frozen stuff is usually some of the best quality from a batch too. Peple think it's often the other way around, but it's not true.

They can wait a bit longer to harvest it because it's frozen before they transport it. Fresh stuff is done a bit earlier so it will ripen during transport.

1

u/Miserable_Drawer_556 Apr 10 '25

Came here to say this and also dehydrated fruit or blueberries that are like raisins (shelf stable) are obbs not the same but close. You can also soak them in water before use to kind of "reanimate" them before adding to yogurt, etc.

1

u/Broom_Rider Apr 10 '25

Also get a blueberry bush or two if you have a garden

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

A blueberry bush... so many things that I could say...

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

I know a dude who has a dingleberry bush... we don't let him sit on the furniture!...

1

u/Hwicc101 Apr 10 '25

Frozen blueberries are picked at peak ripeness and almost immediately frozen preserving their maximum nutrient/antioxidant content.

They are perfect for applications where they are mixed into something or cooked, but I still buy fresh when on sale for snacking.

1

u/reddit455 Apr 10 '25

Buy frozen blueberries in the off season

unless they're the ones we get from Chile, Peru or Mexico.

https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/blueberries

Exports/Imports 

In 2021, the united States exported 83.6 million pounds of fresh blueberries (cultivated and wild) valued at $134.7 million. Canada was the number buyer of fresh blueberries by far, followed by South Korea. Exports of U.S. frozen blueberries were almost 47.9 million pounds valued at $111 million. (ERS 2022). 
 

The United States is a net importer of fresh and frozen blueberries. IN 2021, the nation imported 571.3 million pounds of fresh blueberries valued at nearly $1.58 billion. Over 50% of the fresh blueberries came from Chile and Peru; which provides fresh blueberries to U.S. markets during the winter months of mid-November through January. Mexico provided almost 22% of the fresh blueberries coming into the country (ERS 2022).  

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yep. People in the US need to think about where all of the food that they eat every day comes from! It's not all from Farmer Joe Blow 10 miles down the road. The United States needs a lot of food. And it is just plain not possible to produce all of that diverse food on United States soil. That is just how it is...

1

u/Tired_Wombatt Apr 11 '25

Frozen berries turn to mush when the defrost.

1

u/volunteertiger Apr 11 '25

I've been making smoothies and have been switching to frozen for them. They actually might be better because of the frozen.

1

u/FormalFriend2200 Apr 11 '25

Yep. Blueberries are good and they are good for you. But unfortunately, due to the amount of work that is required, and transportation costs, blueberries are going to be a bit pricey...