Did you know July is
actually a National Blueberry month? It is the peak of its harvest. So, go
ahead take advantage of the lowest prices of the year!
Not a big fan of blueberries?
Let me help you change your mind!
Fresh blueberries are one of the most popular summer treats
of all time. They are sweet, succulent, full of nutrients, and can be eaten
freshly picked as well as incorporated into a variety of recipes.
One cup of fresh blueberries contains 84 calories, 0 grams
of cholesterol, 1.1 grams of protein, 0.49 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbohydrate
and 3.6 grams of dietary fiber (14% of the recommended daily dose.) Also blueberries
rank the highest of any fruit for antioxidants ,
and one cup delivers and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin
C.
What are the possible
health benefits of blueberries?
1) Maintaining healthy bones
2) Lowering blood pressure
3) Managing diabetes
4) Preventing cancer
5) Warding off heart disease
6) Improving mental health
7) Promoting weight loss
8) Fighting wrinkles
Not enough good news?
Blueberries are of particular benefit in maintaining eye
health. The nutritious elements of blueberries could help prevent many disorders
that eventually lead to impaired vision or blindness. According to Life Extension magazine, blueberries may
have benefits for the eyes beyond what is even known.
How to Select and Store Blueberries
Choose blueberries that are firm and have a lively, uniform
hue colored with a whitish bloom. Shake the container, noticing whether the
berries have the tendency to move freely; if they do not, this may indicate
that they are soft and damaged or moldy. Avoid berries that appear dull in
color or are soft and watery in texture. They should be free from moisture
since the presence of water will cause the berries to decay. When purchasing
frozen berries, shake the bag gently to ensure that the berries move freely and
are not clumped together, which may suggest that they have been thawed and
refrozen. Blueberries that are cultivated in the United States are available
from May through October while imported berries may be found at other times of
the year.
Before storing remove any crushed or moldy berries to prevent
the rest from spoiling. Don't wash berries until right before eating, as
washing will remove the bloom that protects the berries' skins from
degradation. Store ripe blueberries in a covered container in the refrigerator
for up to 3 days. If kept out at room temperature for more than a day, the
berries may spoil.
Ripe berries can also be frozen, although this will slightly
change their texture and flavor. Before freezing, wash, drain and remove any
damaged berries. To better ensure uniform texture upon thawing, spread the
berries out on a cookie sheet or baking pan, place in the freezer until frozen,
then put the berries in a plastic bag for storage in the freezer.
Best Places to Pick
Blueberries
What better way to celebrate The National Blueberry Month
than taking the family out on a day trip to pick some berries? Here are the two farms within a day’s driving distance that will let you pick their berries and
take them home to make blueberry pie, blueberry jam, blueberry muffins, or to
just enjoy alone.
Knutson’s Country Harvest
13550 Townhouse Rd.
Newark, IL 60541
Phone: 815-557-4630
From Chicago it takes about an hour and a half to get out to
Knutson’s for a day of picking. They offer four varieties of blueberries to
pick from. They are a family-owned and operated orchard. They also make their
own homemade pies, jams, pickles, relishes and honey and offer bee
demonstrations and hay rides.
Valley Orchard
811 E. State St.
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
Phone: 815-332-9696
Another hour and a half drive outside of Chicago will take
you to Valley Orchard, a 35-acre, family-owned orchard, which boasts
approximately 5,000 apple trees. But when apples aren’t in season you can pick
raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. They ask that you call ahead on days
when the temperature will be in the mid 90s as they will close early.
And what is your favorite blueberry recipe?
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