Don’t worry, these little white, squirming creatures are the larvae of the spotted-winged fruit fly (SWD). They’re very common on fresh blueberries and strawberries. Here’s the most important information you need to know:
### 1. Are they edible?
Yes, they are absolutely safe. While they aren’t aesthetically pleasing, they aren’t known to cause disease in humans. If you eat organic or garden-grown blueberries, you’ve almost certainly ingested them unknowingly. Stomach acid will kill them immediately after consumption.
### 2. Should we throw away blueberries?
Not necessarily. You can follow this rule:
* If the blueberries are firm and smell fresh, don’t throw them away. Simply rinse them thoroughly with clean water after soaking them in salt to remove the larvae and salt. They’re perfect for eating or adding to smoothies.
* If the berries are very soft or have a sour smell: in this case, it is best to throw them away, as larvae can damage them or bacteria can cause them to ferment.
### 3. Tips for the future:
* Refrigerate immediately: Place berries in the refrigerator immediately after purchasing or picking them; the cold prevents eggs from hatching and larvae from developing.
* Soak in salt water: Continue to soak them in salted water (about 1 tablespoon of salt per 2 cups of water) for 10-15 minutes if you want to be sure you can remove them before eating.
Bottom line: If the berries look fresh, just wash them thoroughly and they’re ready to eat, no worries!
My husband texted me, “I’m stuck at work. Happy second anniversary, honey.” But I was sitting two tables away… watching him kiss another woman. I was about to turn to him when a stranger stopped me and whispered, “Calm down… the real show is about to begin.” And what happened next…
My husband texted me: “I’m stuck at work. Happy second anniversary, honey.” But I was sitting two tables away… watching him kiss another woman. I was about to turn to him when a stranger stopped me and whispered, “Calm down… the real show is about to begin.” And what happened next…
My husband sent me another message at 7:14 PM:
“I’m stuck at work. Happy second anniversary, honey. I’ll make it up to you this weekend.”
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