Blueberry picking information

• Ripe blueberries are plump, deeply colored and pleasantly tinged with a powdery complexion.
• Please pick all the ripe blueberries, and leave the green berries to ripen later.
• Green berries will not ripen after picking. Ripe berries should give easily from the bush.
• Look under the leaves and within the branches of the blueberry bush to find tons of berries ripe for the picking.
• Please do not cross over the rows. It disturbs the sawdust mulch and can damage the roots.

Taking them home

• Remember, blueberries are perishable and need to be handled gently.
  Protect the berries from sunlight...particularly in your car.
• Take the berries straight home...don't leave them in a hot car.
  Storing your blueberries...
• Blueberries are probably the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There’s no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting.
• Fresh blueberries are perishable and should be refrigerated. They should be consumed within 10-14 days after harvesting. They should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Mother Nature has provided the blueberry with a special protective coating; it's important not to wash it off until just ready to use.

Nutritional information

• Blueberries are a nutritional giant, containing iron, vitamins A and C, fiber, carotenoids, antioxidants, and anthocyanosides.
• Regular consumption of blueberries may reduce various signs of aging.
• Blueberries are good for the eyes. They have been shown to improve night vision and may also protect against cataracts and glaucoma.
• Folk medicine relies that blueberries are good for treating stomach ailments!

Freezing Blueberries

• Do not wash blueberries before freezing.
• For loose packed berries, spread them in a shallow roasting pan or cookie sheet and place in freezer until hard, approximately 1 hour. Transfer to freezer in either bags or containers; store at 0 degrees or lower.
• Freezer life is one year.
• The secret of success in freezing blueberries is to have berries completely dry before freezing.
• Vacuum sealing seems to be particularly beneficial.

Ways to eat

• Stir into plain or vanilla yogurt.
• Alternate layers of blueberries and vanilla pudding to make a parfait.
• Sprinkle over hot or cold cereal.
• Spoon over ice cream.
• Mix with cottage cheese.
• Add to fruit salad.
• Fold into lightly sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping.
• Fill an ice cream cone half full with blueberries, top with vanilla or blueberry swirl ice cream.
• Serve in cantaloupe half; top with a dollop of yogurt.
• Eat out of hand, they're better than candy!