Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Berries Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to berry products
About berries
Small and bumpy edible fruit, berries are eaten all across the globe. Early settlers and Native Americans included berries as part of their diets, and by the late 1800s, they were commercially produced.
Botanically, some fruits are called berries even though they're not true ones. A true berry is a fleshy fruit formed from the ovary of one flower with seeds embedded within the skin. The fruits tend to be sweet and juicy, while their bright color contrasts against other vegetation.
How to tell if berries are ripe
Fresh berries are one of the most delicious flavors, especially during the summer when they're in season. Unfortunately, they're also one of the most perishable fruits, so make sure you're selecting ripe fruit.
When it comes to checking the ripeness in berries, you want to avoid basing it off shape. Some of the most flavorful berries might not look appetizing, but that doesn't mean they're not delicious. You want fruit that isn't under-ripe, so they should be as close to their natural color as possible. Select ones that are plump and tender.
For instance, for strawberries, look for red berries that don't have any white or green parts. Also, while most fruit is green before they ripen, blackberries start their lives as red fruit. Another fun fact is that raspberries don't ripen any more once they've been harvested, so what you see in the container is as ripe as they will get.
Types of berries
All types of berries are bursting with nutrition. When shopping for berries, there are four main types available, all of which have their own health benefits:
- Blackberries: In season from June through August, these berries are sometimes confused with black raspberries. However, blackberries have their stem stay on the fruit when picked, whereas black raspberries have their stem remain on the plant, leaving the fruit hollow. Blackberries can improve your digestion, help manage diabetes, and reduce your risk for obesity.
- Blueberries: In season from late May through October, blueberries are considered a superfood, as they offer superior health protection as they're packed with antioxidants and are high in vitamin C. The nutrient-rich berries have anti-aging properties and can increase your heart health.
- Raspberries: In season from May through September, these small tart berries are available in four different colors -- red, black, purple, and gold. Red raspberries are the most common, but all four types offer similar health benefits. They promote healthy skin and can help prevent heart disease.
- Strawberries: In season from April through June, this heart-shaped fruit can increase your good cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and are packed full of antioxidants. Strawberries are among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity. Just eight strawberries have more vitamin C than an orange.
Are you looking to eat some fresh berries, add them to a delicious dessert, make some homemade jam, or make a healthy smoothie? With so many ways to prepare berries, you might need to take some time to figure out how to prepare them best. Before you sort through all your recipes, open up your Instacart app and add some berries to your cart. Once you hit submit, an Instacart shopper will start working on your order and deliver your berries to your home in as little as 2 hours!
Berries Near Me
Buy your favorite Berries online with Instacart. Order Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about berries
All berries are delicate, so it's important to take special care when handling them. Remove the fresh berries from their container, and determine if any of the fruit are super ripe. If so, eat those immediately because they won't keep. If you plan to use the fruit that day, you can leave the fruit in a shallow container at room temperature.
Ensure you put the berries in the refrigerator if you don't plan to eat them right away. You can return them to their original packaging, but they'll stay fresher longer if you put them in a shallow container where they can be spread into a single layer instead of stacked. Loosely cover them with a clean paper towel. Don't wash the berries until you're ready to use them. Strawberries and blueberries will last up to 5 days, while blackberries and raspberries will last about 3 days.
Yes, you can certainly freeze berries, and they are perfect for adding to smoothies or thawed to use in baking and sauces. Freezing berries can cause them to lose their shape and some of their juice. Wash the berries thoroughly and pat dry. Lay them on a single layer of a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Doing so will prevent the berries from freezing together in one giant lump. Place the tray in the freezer for about an hour, and then transfer the berries into an airtight bag or container. Frozen berries can last up to 6 months.