Julia, clearly you have never had Maine wild blueberries. And you're probably unable to get them where you are. Tant pis pour toi! They are exquisite, very small, totally unlike the overgrown monsters you had from TJ's, super high in antioxidants, and very tasty to boot. And carefully managed in the fields.
You're entirely right! I haven't. And it sounds as though they are as different from the supermarket blueberries I've eaten as are English strawberries bought at the farm gate from those sold in supermarkets. Just another confirmation that 'local' is generally best - the produce is happier there.
Indeed I haven’t! Clearly, from the other notes, proper local blueberries have a huge number of fans. It explains the popularity of blueberry pies and muffins which I also never understood - because they were made, industrially, with obviously lesser blueberries. But I don’t think I ever came across blueberries in my local markets that came from New England. I imagine locals wisely ate them all.
A helpful reader has set me straight about the relationship between Trader Joe's and Aldi. She says she: "Wanted to share a clarification about ownership of Trader Joe’s and Aldi. Separate companies. Not the same owner. Brothers who split off into separate companies. Often misunderstood here in USA and researched.
I live in Oregon, and much like in Maine and other states, there are multiple varieties of delicious blueberries in season between July and August. The flavor profile ranges from tart to sweet. There’s even a new variety called pink lemonade. I pick mine by the bucket at the local u-pick farm and mostly eat them fresh out of my hand. For a detailed description of blueberry varieties grown in the US, read this publication from Oregon State University extension program: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-656-blueberry-cultivars-pacific-northwest
also in Washington state and some really lovely pick your own farms of exquisite blueberries. one afternoon, 30lbs enough for the year and delicious flavour.
"Wild" blueberries are still grown in semi-cultivated commercial fields. They only grow in certain climates and soils, need hand-picking, and don't travel well, which is why you're likely only to find them frozen, if at all, away from their native range. (I picked for the Cherryfield operation for a summer long ago.) While nothing replaces fresh ones for straight snacking, for baking, cooking, and blending purposes, the "IQF" frozen berries are about as good.
Saskatoon berries are a substitute for for blueberries. Also known as Serviceberry, and Juneberry among others. Looks very similar, but not as juicy or quite as sweet. Related to apples. Super nutritious. Also a little protein. For some reason, it makes tastier pies and jelly.
Something about the cooking process. Very hardy native which can thrive in broader environments than blueberries. Staple for indigenous populations.
I'd never heard of it. Perhaps with its hardy credentials, it could be developed to replace the blueberry if that should become necessary - made happy growing under different conditions and temperatures.
Saskatoon berries are one of my most favourite berries, flavour like no other! But they are a lot harder to protect from birds since they grow into tall trees unlike blueberries that can be netted
Yes, for the first time in 10 years the birds got my Saskatoons. I have 75 eight-foot bushes in 3 rows. They missed the scraggly blueberry bushes which fruited later and were tied with dazzle tape. The real reason I lost the berries and my cherries was the huge amount of support I gave to the large number and varieties of birds at my feeder until June !! I think I will stop at April this year.
I never see ripe fruit on the wild bushes in the tree areas because the birds get them.
My soil is Ph 7+, so it’s not suitable really for blueberries. The Saskatoon bushes do very well though!
Hope you find a stand of Saskatoons in the treeless prairie sometime! They make such good pies!!
I’ve sold both at my fruit stand and farmers market. Blueberries are the clear winner because of their juicier texture. Also, many people are not familiar with Saskatoons.
We have tons of pick your own blueberry farms in upstate NY. Also agree with previous comments about blueberries from Maine. They are truly the best and worth a road trip to purchase since they freeze well.
I love the pick-your-own-produce idea! A far better outing than a trip to the mall and the food is generally so much better. We used to pick our own peaches around Washington DC - a completely different fruit from the hard ball that went from rigid to mush overnight.
This is awful news! Blueberries are the ultimate perfect fruit for travelers -- easy to grow, pick and transport; fresh berries last a few weeks, and no need to dispose of skin or seeds. Nor do the seeds get stuck in one's teeth, like the evil raspberries to. Fortunately, beautiful Vermont is not (yet) on that list and it's a big lover and grower of blueberries and its festivals -- I have three bushes thriving in my yard!
I haven’t had Vermont blueberries either! Do you all dress up as blueberries for the festivals? Take care of your bushes! I like raspberries before getting on a plane. It takes the entire flight to pick out the seeds and distracts me from the other discomforts.
You have it so right on the Janus-faced good and bad of globalization. This was the first I’ve heard of the threat to blueberries, which is sad not only because I like them for their flavor (when ripe and local), but their excellent nutritional properties. Sigh. You don’t mention but are no doubt aware of the growing threat to bananas. See https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49331286
Great post. We just saw an episode of the Stanley tucci in Italy series, episode Puglia re their olive tree thrush situation. What is staggering is that groves of trees affected are 800-1000 yrs old. So sad.
We used to pick blueberries (tall bushes) in East Texas 25 years ago for 99c a pound. Lovely large berries. Sadly, the owner left the bushes die after he was unable to harvest due to health reasons and he couldn’t find a new owner for the farm. There are still a number of blueberry farms in East Texas.
If you freeze the berries before washing them they don’t turn into sludge. Wash when you take them from the freezer.
Nothing better than a handful of fresh blueberries, the perfect fruit, no seeding or peeling needed!!!
I had no idea before I wrote this topic that blueberries had such ardent fans! I have never had a similar response anything I've written on strawberries or raspberries. I must give them a deeper investigation - in my mouth!
I would think the importance of genetic diversity applies across the entire spectrum of living things… even us.
There is research that suggests the decline in nutrient density in our food supply is linked more to plant variety choice than depleted soils. I think both of those factors are responsible.
Julia, clearly you have never had Maine wild blueberries. And you're probably unable to get them where you are. Tant pis pour toi! They are exquisite, very small, totally unlike the overgrown monsters you had from TJ's, super high in antioxidants, and very tasty to boot. And carefully managed in the fields.
You're entirely right! I haven't. And it sounds as though they are as different from the supermarket blueberries I've eaten as are English strawberries bought at the farm gate from those sold in supermarkets. Just another confirmation that 'local' is generally best - the produce is happier there.
Not in Maine, but we also have a source of wild blueberries, low and highbush. Yum
Indeed I haven’t! Clearly, from the other notes, proper local blueberries have a huge number of fans. It explains the popularity of blueberry pies and muffins which I also never understood - because they were made, industrially, with obviously lesser blueberries. But I don’t think I ever came across blueberries in my local markets that came from New England. I imagine locals wisely ate them all.
Maine Blueberries are the best!
I should have run a book on which blueberries are the best! I could have retired in luxury.
Next time…
A helpful reader has set me straight about the relationship between Trader Joe's and Aldi. She says she: "Wanted to share a clarification about ownership of Trader Joe’s and Aldi. Separate companies. Not the same owner. Brothers who split off into separate companies. Often misunderstood here in USA and researched.
https://www.thekitchn.com/aldi-trader-joes-parent-company-rumor-260999"
I live in Oregon, and much like in Maine and other states, there are multiple varieties of delicious blueberries in season between July and August. The flavor profile ranges from tart to sweet. There’s even a new variety called pink lemonade. I pick mine by the bucket at the local u-pick farm and mostly eat them fresh out of my hand. For a detailed description of blueberry varieties grown in the US, read this publication from Oregon State University extension program: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-656-blueberry-cultivars-pacific-northwest
They sound lyrical! Nothing like the dull blueberry experiences I've had with standard supermarket berries.
also in Washington state and some really lovely pick your own farms of exquisite blueberries. one afternoon, 30lbs enough for the year and delicious flavour.
Want blueberries actually worth eating? Buy low-bush wild blueberries - superior in flavor & nutrition...
If these are wild bushes, where can you buy them?
Seen them frozen at Trader Joe’s
"Wild" blueberries are still grown in semi-cultivated commercial fields. They only grow in certain climates and soils, need hand-picking, and don't travel well, which is why you're likely only to find them frozen, if at all, away from their native range. (I picked for the Cherryfield operation for a summer long ago.) While nothing replaces fresh ones for straight snacking, for baking, cooking, and blending purposes, the "IQF" frozen berries are about as good.
https://www.wildblueberries.com/wholesale-trade/how-to-buy-bulk-wild-blueberries/#suppliers
The only acceptable chem trails are on Lana Del Ray's CD.
Big Pharma.. chem trials.. GMO .. controlling the food supply.. the berries are not the problem.
Industry is the problem. We should get back to "self- sufficient" instead of dependent.
Grow our own food, establish markets, local production and distribution.
Community will be strengthened by that too..
I could not agree more! I can't see a downside.
Me either!! :)
Saskatoon berries are a substitute for for blueberries. Also known as Serviceberry, and Juneberry among others. Looks very similar, but not as juicy or quite as sweet. Related to apples. Super nutritious. Also a little protein. For some reason, it makes tastier pies and jelly.
Something about the cooking process. Very hardy native which can thrive in broader environments than blueberries. Staple for indigenous populations.
I'd never heard of it. Perhaps with its hardy credentials, it could be developed to replace the blueberry if that should become necessary - made happy growing under different conditions and temperatures.
Saskatoon berries are one of my most favourite berries, flavour like no other! But they are a lot harder to protect from birds since they grow into tall trees unlike blueberries that can be netted
Yes, for the first time in 10 years the birds got my Saskatoons. I have 75 eight-foot bushes in 3 rows. They missed the scraggly blueberry bushes which fruited later and were tied with dazzle tape. The real reason I lost the berries and my cherries was the huge amount of support I gave to the large number and varieties of birds at my feeder until June !! I think I will stop at April this year.
I never see ripe fruit on the wild bushes in the tree areas because the birds get them.
My soil is Ph 7+, so it’s not suitable really for blueberries. The Saskatoon bushes do very well though!
Hope you find a stand of Saskatoons in the treeless prairie sometime! They make such good pies!!
Another one I hadn't heard of! 75 bushes is a very large orchard - and you have other bushes! Sounds like the birds adore both it and you.
I’ve sold both at my fruit stand and farmers market. Blueberries are the clear winner because of their juicier texture. Also, many people are not familiar with Saskatoons.
I would buy them just for the name! They sound like a musical instrument.
We have tons of pick your own blueberry farms in upstate NY. Also agree with previous comments about blueberries from Maine. They are truly the best and worth a road trip to purchase since they freeze well.
I love the pick-your-own-produce idea! A far better outing than a trip to the mall and the food is generally so much better. We used to pick our own peaches around Washington DC - a completely different fruit from the hard ball that went from rigid to mush overnight.
This is awful news! Blueberries are the ultimate perfect fruit for travelers -- easy to grow, pick and transport; fresh berries last a few weeks, and no need to dispose of skin or seeds. Nor do the seeds get stuck in one's teeth, like the evil raspberries to. Fortunately, beautiful Vermont is not (yet) on that list and it's a big lover and grower of blueberries and its festivals -- I have three bushes thriving in my yard!
I haven’t had Vermont blueberries either! Do you all dress up as blueberries for the festivals? Take care of your bushes! I like raspberries before getting on a plane. It takes the entire flight to pick out the seeds and distracts me from the other discomforts.
You have it so right on the Janus-faced good and bad of globalization. This was the first I’ve heard of the threat to blueberries, which is sad not only because I like them for their flavor (when ripe and local), but their excellent nutritional properties. Sigh. You don’t mention but are no doubt aware of the growing threat to bananas. See https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49331286
So much is under threat from human activity! As you say, bananas, too. If you want to know even more about them, this might intrigue...? https://juliawatson.substack.com/p/yes-we-have-so-many-bananas
Bananas worldwide are at risk from another serious pathogen that causes Banana Bunchy Top Virus.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5014477/ Here in Hawaii, whole farms have been infected.
That's terrible news! It's such a key crop. Thank you for the helpful link.
Great post. We just saw an episode of the Stanley tucci in Italy series, episode Puglia re their olive tree thrush situation. What is staggering is that groves of trees affected are 800-1000 yrs old. So sad.
That photo of the olive trees - all that dead grey - is heartbreaking.
Nova Scotian blueberries are the best.
The map of where I'm going to have to try them all out expands!
We did a whole episode on the history of blueberries last year! It certainly has a great story.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-fresh-produce/id1765143144?i=1000669462927
Thank you for this link! I'm sure that more than me will take a listen.
My pleasure! I hope you enjoy 😊
Growing your own. In pots. Harvesting just a handful everyday
Gosh. Never thought of them as a pot plant! There's an idea. Thank you. Better than another year if chilli peppers.
Main advantage is nice acidic soil. Coffee grounds help
Coffee grounds are a secret weapon for so many things!
We used to pick blueberries (tall bushes) in East Texas 25 years ago for 99c a pound. Lovely large berries. Sadly, the owner left the bushes die after he was unable to harvest due to health reasons and he couldn’t find a new owner for the farm. There are still a number of blueberry farms in East Texas.
If you freeze the berries before washing them they don’t turn into sludge. Wash when you take them from the freezer.
Nothing better than a handful of fresh blueberries, the perfect fruit, no seeding or peeling needed!!!
I had no idea before I wrote this topic that blueberries had such ardent fans! I have never had a similar response anything I've written on strawberries or raspberries. I must give them a deeper investigation - in my mouth!
The lack of genetic diversity in the commercial varieties is a big contributor to the disease problem.
If we were to move to a decentralized system with plants grown from locally adapted seeds the risk of catastrophic failures would be minimized.
I imagine that also applies to many other of our plants and fruits. And livestock currently industrially farmed?
I would think the importance of genetic diversity applies across the entire spectrum of living things… even us.
There is research that suggests the decline in nutrient density in our food supply is linked more to plant variety choice than depleted soils. I think both of those factors are responsible.