Picking Season: Early July - August

Pick & Pack:
The best containers to use for picking are a shallow box, basket or bowl that will protect the fruit. Bags are not recommended as the fruit tends to bruise. Baskets are available for sale in the Brown's Berry Patch Marketplace. Have your container weighed before you begin picking fruit at the Marketplace Weigh Station.

Picking Tips:
- Choose berries that are plump, dry and a rich dark blue as these are the sweetest. Blueberries do NOT continue to ripen further once picked.
- Blueberries should have a soft, hazy white coating, which is called the "bloom" and protects the berry from the sun. Avoid those that are shriveled or lack bloom.
- Gently pick the berries by rolling them off the stem with your thumb.

Nutritional Value:
- Blueberries are ranked No. 1 in antioxidant activity compared with 40 other commercially available fruits and vegetables.
- Blueberries are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene as well as rich in minerals, potassium, manganese & magnesium.
- 1 cup of blueberries is only 84 calories.
- Blueberries are very high in dietary fiber and contain no cholesterol or fat.

Blueberry Muffins:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients except blueberries and stir until well blended.
3. Fold in blueberries.
4. Fill muffin pan 2/3 full and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees until toothpick comes out clean.
5. Sprinkle with 2 T. sugar and cinnamon, serve warm.
6. Makes 12 muffins.

Blueberry spinach salad:

1. Prepare salad greens
2. Add berries, cheese and pecans, toss lightly.
3. In separate container, prepare dressing by mixing together all dressing ingredients.
4. Add salad dressing, toss lightly & serve.