BLUEBERRIES FROM THE FRUIT AND BERRY PATCH

There are two types of blueberries grown in Tennessee - highbush and rabbiteye. All the blueberries grown at The Fruit and Berry Patch are of the rabbiteye type. We have at least five different varieties in order to assure pollination and to extend the season but they are mixed in the planting and cannot be individually identified as to variety. The rabbiteye blueberries start ripening in late June and continue to ripen throughout the summer - sometimes until early September if there is a very large crop. Blueberries should be picked only when they are fully ripe (dark blue) and come off the cluster easily. Blueberries do not increase in sweetness after they are picked even though they may develop a darker blue color. In fact, blueberries do not reach their maximum sweetness until two or three days after they turn dark blue on the plant.

Suggested uses for blueberries - as a snack fresh or frozen, muffins, pancakes, pies, jam, in fruit salads, on cereal, with milk or cream, on cheesecake, etc.