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The article by Chaunie Brusie explains a simple trick to separate ripe and unripe blueberries using water. The hack, shared by @onlybsides, involves placing blueberries in water. Ripe blueberries sink due to their higher specific gravity, while unripe ones float. This method helps in easily identifying and separating the sour, less-ripe berries from the ripe ones.

A 2020 study in Foods supports this observation, noting that as blueberries ripen, their soluble solid concentration increases, making them heavier. This principle is also used in commercial blueberry sorting processes.

Additionally, visual inspection can help determine ripeness. According to the USDA, ripe blueberries have firm skin that yields slightly to pressure but is not soft or mushy.