Get ready for a blueberry bonanza at Concord’s farmers market
“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!”
—“Blueberries” by Robert Frost
CONCORD, CA (Apr. 16, 2024) — For centuries, Native Americans gathered blueberries from forests and bogs and consumed them fresh and also preserved. The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries, and much folklore developed around them.
Commercial development of blueberries really didn’t begin until the early 20th century, when they were successfully cultivated. They have seen an ever-growing popularity in the marketplace due to a list of health benefits, including reduced risk of cancer, prevention of urinary tract infections and improved eyesight.
Blueberry production in California is estimated at about 1,500 acres and rapidly increasing. More producers are trying blueberries because they are easy to grow and very popular. Highland blueberries are the most commonly cultivated forms and the type we see most often in the markets. Farmers often hybridize cultivated high bush blueberries to produce larger fruit.
Hand-picked
Blueberries should be arriving now, and your farmers market will have some of the best blueberries you can find. They are hand-picked and harvested right before delivery to you. They’re as fresh as you can get, grown locally and from those who love to talk about their crop. Why trust blueberries from anywhere else?
Select berries that are completely blue, with no tinge of red. That natural, shimmery silver coating is desirable as it is a natural protectant. Blueberries that are too large tend to be watery, so purchase smaller blueberries for more intense flavor. Keep blueberries refrigerated, unwashed, in a rigid container covered with clear wrap.
They should last up to a week if they are freshly picked. Blueberries are highly perishable, so try to use them as soon as possible.
You’ll find blueberries at the farmers market from Alpine Blue out of Stockton and Medina Berry Farms from Watsonville. Get enough to make some blueberry muffins or a pie. Then try this refreshing lemonade.
Blueberry Lemonade with Mint
Serves 4
- 2 c. blueberries, plus a handful of frozen blueberries for garnish
- 1 mint sprig, plus 4 more for garnish
- ¼ c. honey
- Generous pinch of salt
- ½ c. lemon juice (juice from 3-4 small lemons)
- 3 c. water (or sparkling water)
Muddle berries, mint, honey and salt until all the blueberries are squashed. Scrape the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer with a rubber spatula, leaving only the skins and mint sprig. Be sure to scrape the underside of the strainer.
Combine the mixture with lemon juice and water and stir. Serve over ice and garnish each glass with a mint sprig and some frozen blueberries.
For an adult beverage, add 1 jigger of gin or vodka per glass.