Americans enjoy blueberries year-round, fresh or frozen, in muffins, pancakes, or smoothies. In fact, the U.S.
per capita consumption has more than tripled since the mid-2000s, according to the market reports. Michigan is one of the top U.S.
producers of blueberries, with the available fresh during the summer months. Take a trip to a blueberry farm to learn more about blueberries, how they are grown, and where they go after they leave the farm. As you enjoy the tasty treat, take some time to learn and share some plant science and other facts about blueberries.
Here are a few fun blueberry facts: Pete Callow, a retired technician who worked as a blueberry researcher assistant at Michigan State University since 1984, states “Blueberries are a terrific fruit, they taste great, are good for you, there’s no pit, you don’t have to peel or slice them, they’re easy to freeze, you can eat them fresh or bake with them. Plus, you can harvest them standing up.” Blueberries are available all year, but if you want your own fresh off the bush, you may find a near you to get the freshest, tastiest blueberries.
To learn about growing blueberries, Michigan State University Extension has a number of resources on the page. Also, check out the “Using, Storing and Preserving Blueberries” fact sheet, available from . There are many ways to incorporate blueberries into recipes, such as .
One of my favorite ways to enjoy blueberries, especially in the winter, is blueberry jam. The follo.
