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Northern California
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Blueberries
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Of the hundreds of crops grown in the United States today, very few commonly eaten fruits are native to our soils. The blueberry (of the genus Vaccinium) is a native species that has been eaten and used medicinally in America for hundreds of years. American Indians called blueberries 'star fruit' because of the star shape on the blossom end of each fruit. Wild edible highbush blueberries are limited to the swampy acidic soils of the Northeastern US, but domesticated varieties are cultivated across the country. In California, blueberries are grown everywhere from the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevadas.
Of the hundreds of crops grown in the United States today, very few commonly eaten fruits are native to our soils. The blueberry (of the genus Vaccinium) is a native species that has been eaten and used medicinally in America for hundreds of years. American Indians called blueberries 'star fruit' because of the star shape on the blossom end of each fruit. Wild edible highbush blueberries are limited to the swampy acidic soils of the Northeastern US, but domesticated varieties are cultivated across the country. In California, blueberries are grown everywhere from the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevadas.
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Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.
Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.
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Vegetables
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•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados
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•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados
•basil
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•cactus pads
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celery
•chard
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celery
•chard
•cucumbers
•dandelion/chicory
•eggplant
•endive
•fava beans
•fennel
•garlic
•herbs
•horseradish
•fava beans
•fennel
•garlic
•herbs
•horseradish
•kale
•kohlrabi
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms
•kohlrabi
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms
•mustard
•nettles
•onions
•peas
•nettles
•onions
•peas
•peppers (bell and chili)
•potatoes
•purslane
•radicchio
•purslane
•radicchio
•radish
•rapini
•rhubarb
•rapini
•rhubarb
•scallions
•shallots
•spinach
•summer squash
•tomatoes
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Fruits and Nuts
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Fruits and Nuts
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•avocados
•apricots
•apricots
•apriums
•blackberries
•blueberries
•boysenberries
•cactus pears
•cherries
•cherries
•dried fruit
•lemons
•loquats
•loquats
•nectarines
•oranges
•persimmons
•persimmons
•peaches
•plums
•pluots
•pluots
•raspberries
•rhubarb
•strawberries
•tomatoes
•strawberries
•tomatoes
•walnuts
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Above Information Courtesy of Highbush Blueberry Council.
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7 comments:
We live in very NW Washington and they grow blueberries here by the hundreds of acres. You can pick your own, or they will pick for you at the farm stands. The berries are gigantic and juicy and sweet - picking is fun because the bushes are about head high and loaded with the big berries. We pick 5 or 6 flats of them each year - freeze on cookie pans and then bag for winter use. The flats (about 8 quarts) are about 12.00 each - as compared to the store price of 5.00 for a tiny cardboard box - about 1 cup or 1 1/2 cup at tht most.
They also grow raspberries and strawberries here - and the price is just a little higher than for the blueberries - we stock up on all three berries, plus pick wild blackberries for our freezer. Then we have berries for cereal - to add to plain, unsweetened yogurt, for jams, muffins and for smoothies. What a delightful area we live in - the fresh berries are so much better than the ones shipped to regular stores.
Lovely blueberries, we have very little here and they are extremely expensive...hugs/M
Welcome back!! Just made my daughter a blueberry and banana smoothie...any berry will do....but they are my favorite!
I love blueberries! They always look so pretty on top of desserts, but I like them plain - by the handful. It's nice to see your list of what's in season, because spring is here and fresh produce is one of the joys of all seasons. Having what's "in season" helps one celebrate this time of year in the best of flavor and taste!
Thanks, Sabina - and welcome back. We missed you!
I ADORE blueberries with heavy cream... yum!
I can't wait for all the delicious fruit of summer!
After reading everyone's comments I'm starving and craving blueberries!!
xo Katherine aka. Urban Flea :)
www.urbanfleadesign.com
It is nice to know that someone has fresh local produce. It is still too early in NJ for all of those yummy things. Especially love the blueberries. Can't wait for them to be in season here.
I loved reading about the Hobbit House too. Simply amazing! Thanks for sharing. ♥Rosemary
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