In this section :
All about the blueberries.
USA-Norway Canada!
Hageblåbær (Vaccinium corymbosum) dyrkes i mange land. USA og Canada er de ledende produsenter med nesten 90% av verdensproduksjonen. I Norge dyrkes hageblåbær hovedsakelig på Øst-, Sør- og Vestlandet. De plantene som brukes i dag, er krysninger av forskjellige sorter som har resultert i store bær med en behagelig smak og farge. Blåfargen sitter bare i skallet, og bærene har en delikat, lys farge inni. Man blir ikke ”blå rundt munnen” når bærene spises! Plantene eller buskene blir – alt etter sort – fra ca 75 cm til ca 180 cm høye. De tidlige sortene modnes i slutten av juli, mens senere sorter modnes i august og september. Bærene, som vokser i store klaser, kan høstes over flere uker fordi bærene ikke modnes på samme tid. Dette gjør at sesongen strekker seg fra sent i juli til slutten av september.
De fleste hagesentre har hageblåbær i sitt sortiment, og det er Grimstad Planteskole som i all hovedsak står for produksjonen av det plantemateriale som benyttes i Norge i dag. Plantene, som leveres i potter, er ca 1,5 år gamle når de settes ut, og de trenger såkalt sur jord (pH 4,5 – 5,0) for å trives bra og gi god avling. Etter 3 – 5 år er planten ”voksen”, og vil da gi fra 1,5 til 3,5 kilo bær. Enkelte sorter kan, ved optimale forhold, gi enda mer. Størrelsen på bærene varierer fra ca 12 mm til godt over 22 mm, og varierer litt i søtsmaken, alt etter hvilken sort det gjelder.
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Highbush Blueberries
The blueberry of the genus Vaccinium, is a native American species. Early settlers cherished the fruit as a staple ingredient in foods and medicines. They incorporated the berries into their diets, eating them fresh off the bush and adding them to soups, stews, and many other foods.
North America is the world's leading blueberry producer, accounting for nearly 90% of world production at the present time. The North American harvest runs from mid-April through early October, with peak harvest in July which is also known as National Blueberry Month.
Efforts in the early 1900's by Elizabeth White and Dr. Frederick Coville to domesticate the wild highbush blueberry resulted in today's cultivated blueberry industry. Their initial breeding work has resulted in the plump, juicy, sweet and easy to pick cultivated blueberry we enjoy today. For more information on their breakthrough go to www.whitesbog.org
Over the decades, plant breeders and pathologists have worked to identify and enhance the desirable features of various cultivars of highbush blueberries. For decades Cultivated Blueberries have been improved through natural selection and plant breeding programs to produce an optimal blueberry with desirable flavor, texture and color. Cultivated varieties have been enhanced to offer magnificent plump berries with deep, rich color and a delicious fruity flavor. These plant-breeding programs have resulted in the development of superior berries both for the consumer and the food processing industry.
Cultivated blueberries are grown in more than 30 states as well as in British Columbia. Nearly half of the cultivated blueberries grown are sold as fresh blueberries. Fresh blueberries are available for nearly eight months of the year from producers across the Untied States and Canada. They are prized by consumers who find them readily available in the produce section. Highbush blueberries are also coutivated in Norway and share some of the same species with the North American growers. The Season is late July and you will find some of the sweetest and juiciest blueberries in the world in your local vicinity. Enjoy!
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