Sunday August 9th, 2009 Blueberries

Those tiny, perfect fruits of summer are just beginning to ripen. Blueberries are my one of my favorite fruits, and I just can’t resist the chance to go and pick them. My husband dreads my declaration that it is time to go picking, but he is still the most productive picker in the family. With his help, I collect many quarts of berries to wash and package. A stash of these tiny treats in the freezer will last the winter long, and the muffins, pies, breads and sauces will be welcome on those cold days of winter. Take time this year to scour the bush for these little blue gems, or purchase some of the commercial varieties, just to enjoy one of the best flavors of summer.

Why should we eat blueberries?

Here are five good reasons: blueberries protect against ovarian cancer and colon cancer, blueberries lower cholesterol and promote gastrointestinal health, they are a high source of vitamin C and fibre, they are a low glycemic index carbohydrate and blueberries help to fight aging with their antioxidants. Ongoing research points to a possible relationship between blueberries and healthy brain function. In a USDA study, a diet rich in blueberries reversed some loss of balance and coordination and improved short-term memory in aging rats Subsequent studies on mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, demonstrated that blueberry supplementation caused signal transmission between brain cells to approach normal activity. In the future we may learn just how valuable these little berries can be to our health. For more facts visit the Blueberry Council Web site.


When do we celebrate Blueberry month in Canada?

Blueberry month is July in the U.S. and August in Canada, due to our later ripening season. There are many ways to celebrate. Besides making delicious blueberry desserts, you might decorate your table with sprigs of the plant. Use blue candles, tablecloths and napkins. Put out bowls of fresh blueberries, they will be a welcome snack perfect for little fingers. To get your children involved, there are terrific printable activity sheets available from the British Columbia Blueberry Council. They include quizzes, math, social studies and
language activity sheets. Look them here.


How large is the Canadian blueberry crop?

Blueberries now rank as Canada’s largest fruit crop by area, netting some $323 million in exports in 2007. Major provincial producers are British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec. There are at least 40 varieties of blueberries grown by commercial and hobby growers. The new varieties are more prolific and easier to pick standing, Many are more than four feet tall, however, the king in terms of flavor is the native northern variety lowbush wild blueberries, vacinnium augustafolium. For delicious recipes and more information about the varieties of blueberries, borrow a copy of the magazine Harrowsmith Country Life for August 2009 and read the article Blueberries: Easy Growing, Good Eating.

Why do blueberries sometimes turn green when cooked in pancakes and muffins?

Blueberries contain re-purple anthocyanins, which are sensitive to changes in pH. The anthocyanins changes colour in acidic or alkaline conditions. Baking soda which is alkaline, usually causes the colour change. To solve the problem, add your baking soda as late as possible or balance the alkaline with a bit of acid by using buttermilk or milk with a squeeze of lemon. To learn more about food plant peculiarities read Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the Worlds Food Plants.

Can you suggest some Canadian blueberry recipes?

For a fun and interesting collection of blueberry recipes, many made at the finest Canadian restaurants, look at Blueberries: Recipes from Canada’s Best Chefs. It includes a four ingredient Easy Blueberry Crème Brulee, an attractive Iced Blueberry Soup and Amherst Shore Chicken with Blueberry Sauce. There are many Canadian standards, lemon blueberry muffins, blueberry melon smoothies, and blueberry granola bars. For a delicious range of healthy blueberry recipes, check out 12 Best Foods Cookbook. Blueberries, walnuts, tomatoes, chocolate and eight more superfoods are used to create interesting and tasty foods.

Roberta Casella, Librarian