A Juicy June!

June has been a berry busy month at the farm! The pick-your-own turnout has been great, and we hope you’ll continue to visit us throughout the season. So far our customers have enjoyed strawberries and cherries. Now we’re putting the spotlight on two more delicious summer favorites: blueberries and black raspberries.

First things first: Do you know that black raspberries are not the same as blackberries? It’s hard to tell unless you know what to look for: Like red raspberries, the black variety are hollow in the middle, unlike blackberries, which have a white core.

Blueberries and black raspberries are unique. They have definitive flavors in delicate packages. With these berries, the skins aren’t as sturdy as you’ll find in a strawberry or cherry, and this makes a difference in how we handle and eat them. For example, you don’t slice or cut blueberries or black raspberries. That’s okay, because who has time for that when you can pop them in your mouth and chomp away! All in all, every berry is delicious in its own right, and we like to highlight the special characteristics of each.

When it comes to blueberries and black raspberries, the first recipes that come to mind are muffins and cobblers. They’re the go-to choices for a reason: the recipes are simple and the results are crowd pleasers. But these berries are too bold to be held to tradition. You’ll find them in all sorts of preparations, like compotes and sauces, both sweet and savory; granola; scones; salads, and more. To give your berry-eating a boost this summer, we found a couple recipes with a twist:

Blueberry and Buttermilk Tart: Get the recipe here!

Black Raspberry Oat Scones: Take a look at the recipe here!

We saved the best for last: Don’t tell the kids, but eating blueberries and black raspberries is good for your health! Both types of berries are high in cancer-fighting antioxidants and have beneficial effects for managing diabetes. Blueberries have been shown to support bone health with iron and zinc and they can help lower blood sugar due to their potassium, calcium, and magnesium content. Because of anthocyanins, which are compounds that give them their nearly black color, black raspberries help maintain eye health and help prevent colon cancer.

Now that we’ve told you how our berries are delicious, versatile, and healthy, there’s nothing left except to enjoy. Come on down to the farm and fill your buckets and your bellies!