BLUEBERRY HISTORY
ANTIOXIDENT BLUEBERRY HISTORY: Where the mighty blueberry came
from, what the natives knew, how science has been able to
improve the crop, what we have learned about blueberries since
Plymouth Rock, and more. The mighty blueberry belongs to the
genus Vaccinium and is a Native American species. The blueberry
is one of the few fruits native to North America. So diverse and
hardy, the blueberry has a "cousin" that grows on the side of
Hawaiian volcanoes.
For centuries, blueberries were gathered from the forests and
the ravines by Native Americans and eaten fresh or preserved.
Blueberries were revered by Northeast Native American tribes and
so valued that folklore was woven around them. The blosson end
of each berry, called the calyx, forms the shape of a perfect 5
point star. Tribal elders would tell tales of these "stared
berries" and how the Great Spirit offered them in order to keep
children fed during times of famine. Portions of the blueberry
plant were also used as medicine. Tea made from the plant was
thought to be healthy for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to
comfort coughs. The juice served a dual purpose and was used as
a dye for cloth and baskets. Dried blueberries were added to
stews and soups and the crushed dried powder was rubbed onto
meats to offer them flavor. Blueberries as medicine? Well, that
goes without saying.
Settlers arrived in the New World during the 17th century and
with their arrival came the clearing of land for farms. The
climate in North America was not anything like the weather early
settlers were accustomed to, so their early attempts at farming
failed.
Plymouth Rock, established in the year 1620, was one of the
first Early American Colonies. Life wasn't easy and many
suffered and died during this period. Those who survived went on
to establish homes and farms. Their Native American neighbors
pitched in and taught them new skills so the settlers might
survive. They were schooled in the art of planting corn and
taught how to gather native plants in order to augment their
food supply. Of course, one of the most important crops was the
mighty blueberry. Colonists learned from Native Americans how to
gather, dry and store this most revered and delicious fruit. A
drink made from blueberries was an important staple for soldiers
during the civil war. As industrialization began taking over,
the first blueberry canning facility was opened in the
northeastern USA.
For decades, the mighty blueberry maintained popularity as a
major and thriving commercial business in the USA and Canada. At
the turn of the century, the blueberry industry geared itself to
an even more important step. In the early 1900's, Elizabeth
White and Frederick Coville set out to domesticate the wild
highbush blueberry. This laid the foundation for today's
cultivated blueberry industry. The early breeding work
accomplished by these early pioneers gave rise to the blueberry
we know today. Without these early pioneering efforts, we would
not have the fresh and frozen blueberries in the grocery that we
have come to know and love today.
For decades, plant scientists have worked to enhance and
identify the desirable characteristics of the Highbush Blueberry
(the variety that is widely consumed today) and this has led to
the cultivation of superior blueberries all the way around. The
berries have been improved through natural selection and
specialized plant breeding protocols. Today, we produce the
optimal blueberry with marked color, flavor and texture for the
fresh and processed food markets. The United States and Canada
are responsible for producing 90 percent of the world's
blueberry supplies. North American harvest season runs from mid
April through the first part of October. Peak harvest is the
month of July rendering it no surprise that July has been dubbed
"National Blueberry Month". Highbush blueberries are perennial,
deciduous, long-lived and woody shrub like plants. They belong
to the same family as cranberries and azalia. Blueberries thrive
in acidic soil. Cultivated blueberries take anywhere from 120 to
160 days to mature. Flowering in the spring, blueberry plants
bear fruit anywhere from 60 to 90 days afterwards.
Today, the modern Highbush blueberry is grown commercially in 38
states and Canadian Provinces. Highbush blueberry industries
have also cropped up in places such as Australia, South America,
Europe and New Zealand. The USA and Canada are the biggest
producers and consumers. However, the market around the world is
on the rise with Japan in the forefront, it appears. Overall,
fresh market and processed market blueberries demand and
consumption is on the rise.
At this point in time, it would be almost safe to say that
everyone loves blueberries. While scientific research constantly
takes place with regard to the marked health benefits
surrounding this little fruit, the majority simply eat them
without the blink of an eye. Because we are able to can and
freeze these delicious amazing little fruits, one can find
blueberries available year round. Regarded as a good thing as
research has proven beyond a doubt why everybody should be
enjoying this powerful little gift from nature.