July Is National Blueberry Month!

As summer reaches its peak, blueberries are in full harvest and are ready to be celebrated! They are packed with vitamins and nutrients, making them the perfect snack for a summer day! During the month of July, many local farms offer blueberry picking experiences where visitors can pick their own berries to take home. Whether it’s trying a new recipe or picking-your-own, have fun celebrating blueberries this month!

Blueberries are native to North America and have been used for centuries in food, dye, and medicine. They are harvested for roughly five months of the year, starting as early as April, reaching their full peak in July. Crops typically begin to fade out by the end of September and into October as temperatures decrease. The states that produce the most blueberries include Washington, Oregon, and Georgia. Blueberries need moist, acidic soils and require full sunlight to grow. They are grown in raised beds to promote healthy root growth while keeping the soil consistently moist. The amount of time that it takes blueberries to grow varies, however, it will often be around three to five years before the crops can produce a full yield. Once in bloom, bushes can produce for several decades, typically thirty to fifty years! 

Did you think all blueberries are the same? Think again! They are separated into different categories, including highbush, lowbush, and rabbiteye berries. Highbush blueberries refer to bushes that grow up to eight feet tall and produce large, slightly tart berries, making them the most common variety and the ones found in grocery stores. Lowbush blueberries are a smaller, wild variety that are found in Maine and parts of Canada. These berries are richer in flavor making them commonly used in desserts, jams, preservatives, and baked goods, but can be frozen as well. Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern part of the United States, meaning that they are heat-tolerant. They are more firm than highbush, but range from a sweet to tart flavor. 

Blueberries can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, blended, or baked! They are high in vitamins C and K, as well as manganese and fiber. They also contain antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which is where their color comes from. They are delicious on their own while being incredibly versatile. Whether baked into desserts or blended into smoothies, blueberries remain a staple fruit for summer! 

What’s Offered at Ed’s Produce?

Blueberries – Case 12/pint | Half Case 6/pint | Each 3/pint

Browse the catalog here! https://www.edsproducellc.com/our-products#catalog