Selecting Fresh Berries
Be sure to keep your fresh berries dry and refrigerated at all times in their original, specially ventilated Driscoll's package (clamshell) as close to 34°F and high humidity as possible for optimum freshness. Rinse your berries just prior to using.
Selecting Strawberries
Look for symmetrically shaped berries that have a nice sheen and brilliant, even color. Berry tips should not be too seedy and the "shoulders" should not be white. Look for strawberries that are clean and dry with fresh unwilted caps (calyx).
Selecting Raspberries (Red and Golden)
Raspberries are not only highly perishable, but are also the most fragile in the berry family. Handle them gently when rinsing. Look for plump, evenly-colored berries that have a soft, hazy "gloss." They shouldn't have dents or bruises; broken "druplets" (small tiny bumps that make up the raspberry) will cause leakage adding to the breakdown of the berries. Raspberries have tiny hairs on them called "styles," which are a completely natural part of the fruit's defense mechanism and do not affect the taste or indicate the ripeness of the fruit.
Selecting Blackberries
Blackberries, like their bush-berry cousin, the raspberry, are fragile berries. As with all your fresh berries, handle them gently when rinsing. Look for deep, evenly colored berries with a nice sheen. They shouldn't have dents or bruises; broken "druplets" (small tiny bumps that make up the blackberry) will cause leakage adding to the breakdown of the berries.
Selecting Blueberries
Look for blueberries that are dry, plump and round and free of dents and bruises. Blueberries should have a soft hazy white coating, which is called "bloom." Bloom is a completely natural part of the berries' defense mechanism protecting them from the harsh rays of the sun. Blueberries that are shriveled indicate moisture loss and lack of bloom could indicate over-handling.