Blueberries ~ a perfect fruit to pick and eat!

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Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to pick and store. They are so versatile and taste great as-is and are also fantastic when used in recipes. Blueberry muffins, for example, are a classic favorite. They are also one of the healthiest fruits out there. Blueberry season has just started here at Parlee Farms.

History of Blueberry Picking at Parlee Farms

blueberriesWe first started planting blueberry bushes in 1991. Due to the large demand for fresh blueberry picking in the area, plantings have continually been added. The most recent planting was in 2008 and it takes 7-10 years for a blueberry bush to reach full maturity. We currently have 10 varieties of high bush blueberries covering ten acres ripening over the course of the season.

Why Blueberries Are So Healthy

Blueberries rank number one in antioxidant activity as compared with 40 other fruits and vegetables. One cup of fresh blueberries has about 85 calories. Blueberries have their greatest flavor when they are left on the bush for 7-10 days after turning blue. When ripe, the blueberries will easily come off the bush. Blueberries have a long shelf life – almost two weeks for dry, refrigerated blueberries and should not be washed until they are ready to be used. One quart of fresh blueberries weighs about 1-1/12 lbs. and will yield five servings.

Picking Blueberries at Parlee Farms

To make the most of your blueberry picking trip, we recommend picking only the fully ripe berries that are round, blue, and not cracked in any way. The blueberries that are the darkest in color are often the sweetest. Avoid berries that are not fully blue in color because they aren’t yet ripe and will not be sweet. A blueberry that is ready to be picked will easily roll off of the stem. These perfectly ripened berries have a superior flavor and it is worth it to take the extra step to pick only the best!

If you are planning a trip to visit us to go blueberry picking, be sure to check Today’s Farm News or our Facebook page before heading out to make sure they are ready. In order to let the blueberries ripen, there will be times when blueberry picking isn’t available. Blueberry Season should last until the end of August.  We look forward to seeing you at the farm!

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This post was written by Parlee Farms