Featured Ingredient: Blueberries
Blueberries grow in clusters on perennial shrubs.
Simultaneously crisp and soft, sweet and tart, blueberries truly have it all. Here in Washington, blueberries are usually found at local farmers markets June-September. A member of the genus Vaccinium, close cousins of the blueberry are bilberries and the autumn favorite, cranberries. Originally harvested in the wild, blueberries were prized by Native Americans for their medicinal properties. To this day, blueberries are considered a “superfood” as they are a great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, manganese, iron and several antioxidants. The first successfully cultivated blueberries weren’t developed until 1916, just over 100 years ago.
As beloved as blueberries are here in Washington, they come from ambitious beginnings all the way on the other side of the country. In 1893, Elizabeth White, daughter of the New Jersey cranberry farmer at Whitesbog Farm, saw potential in adding blueberries to her family’s crop. Though other local farmers believed blueberries could not be domesticated, in 1911 White partnered with Dr. Frederick Coville, A USDA botanist who had just published the paper, “Experiments in Blueberries.” Dr. Coville was determined to cultivate blueberries, and White invited him to use her family farm for his experiments.
The first task was to collect as many of the healthiest wild blueberry plants as possible so that they could be bred. Not a problem- the tenacious Elizabeth White offered cash rewards for locals who brought her bushes with the biggest berries, and named the varieties after their founders. Dr. Coville was able to use the best six varieties for his experiments, which were named for Adams, Harding, Sam, Dunfee, Rubel and Grover. From these six bushes, Thousands of young plants were developed, and in 1916 the first cultivated crop of blueberries was produced for sale. Blueberry farming quickly became popular in areas where the conditions were favorable. Blueberries need acidic soil, an abundant supply of soil moisture, and good drainage. That just about checks all the boxes for Washington conditions!
Grab a flat of the incredible blueberry at your local farmers market, or online at the Univeristy District, West Seattle, Capitol Hill, or Columbia City Online Markets! Order today for speedy market pick up.