North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[John Barbowski <jbarbowski@gmail.com>]

Its nice to know that the blueberry industry is flourishing. It is a good tasting and wholesome berry. Unfortunately, it won't find a buyer in me. Call me a blueberry snob if you will, but the taste of cultured berries does not equal those from the wild. (but then, I like black currents so I might be biased). I was raised on wild blueberries; smaller than the cultivated ones, and according to some studies I have read, higher in antioxidant composition. I am in Ontario where the Canadian Shield dominates a good portion of the geography - much of it prime blueberry habitat. My weekend pancakes and crepes wouldn't be the same without a handfull of this elixir! (along with Canadian Maple Syrup).

While traveling through Maine, I noticed fields and fields of blueberry patches, and then a sign: 'Blueberry Capital of the World'; I'm sure its self-promotion.  But it is interesting that to note that Maine is not in the top three from Ginda's article. The Blueberry is Maine's official fruit. 

jmb


also see:  http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Blueberry

On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 7:33 AM, Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us> wrote:

"As recently as 1997, California grew only 196 acres of blueberries
but now it has about 4,500, which are estimated to yield more than 20
million pounds this season. That's still well short of Michigan, the
nation's largest producer at 110 million pounds last year. But when
California's plantings mature, its production may reach 50 million
pounds, exceeding Oregon's, now the third-largest U.S. producer."