Wild Blueberries: 6 things you probably didn't know.
Do you ever wonder where the fruit comes from?You are not alone.Many people are interested in learning where their produce comes from, and discovering where blueberries grow near you can help you make the most of their year-round availability.
The majority of the fruit you find in the store are highbush.They are plump, juicy and sweet, with vibrant colors ranging from deep purple-blue to blue-black, and highlighted by a silvery sheen called a bloom.
Dozens of commercial highbush varieties are thriving across the United States, Canada, South America and around the world, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Frederick Coville and Elizabeth White.
The fresh fruit is available year-round.You can buy South American and North American blueberries at the same time.The peak season for fresh blueberries in North America is from June to August, with the earliest harvest in the southern states and west coast.You can learn more about how blueberries grow.
California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington are some of the states that grow blueberries commercially.British Columbia is the primary producer of highbush blueberries in Canada.Argentina is the largest producing country in South America.
To keep up with demand, more than half of all highbush blueberries are shipped to the fresh market.The rest are used in a wide range of food products, including yogurt, pastries, muffins, cereals and health bars.It's just about anywhere you look.You can watch this video to learn more about where the fruit comes from and how it travels from farm to table.