This is a re-post from a previous year. Blueberies will be ripe soon! Make a plan to visit a farm near you in the coming weeks!
Along with our first heat wave of the summer… blueberry season has arrived!
My sister and I headed to Jay’s Blueberries in Oregon City today. This is our third year picking here. The bushes are huge and loaded with sweet berries.
We walked away with 34 pounds in about two hours. At $1.20 per pound, the price is hard to beat. I called several other local farms; many early varieties are ready this week. If you are looking for a blueberry field in your area, check out these sites: Oregon and Washington.
The humble blueberry is a powerhouse of nutritional benefits:
Contains one of the highest antioxidant levels of any fresh fruit.
I’ve known for a long time that eating produce high in antioxidants was a good thing, but to be honest with you, I couldn’t define the term if my life depended on it. I even checked out Wikipedia on the topic, but I quickly realized I was in over my high-school level chemistry head.
Anyway, here’s how I understand it: Antioxidants are nutrients in our food that help neutralize free radicals (released when cells use oxygen) which can cause damage to our bodies in the form of heart disease, cancers, and diabetes, among other things. Eating a diet heavy in antioxidant-rich food is a good thing. Look for produce with brighter, deeper colors; these contain higher levels of antioxidants.
Helps reduce abdominal fat.
A University of Michigan study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They tested the theory on lab rats with spectacular results. Normally, I don’t base my health decisions on current trends in rat diets, but diet tips that actually taste good are rare so I’d take this one and run with it. For the record, one cup of blueberries contains about 80 calories.
Prevents or delay age-related vision and memory problems.
Apparently blueberry extract contains a compound that slows down vision loss. Blueberries have been shown to actually reverse some memory loss, helping to defend the body against the effects of aging.
It may be a small berry, but it packs a powerful punch. Get in on the benefits by picking your own!
Here are some delicious recipes using blueberries!
Blueberry French Toast Bake — Frugal Living NW
Blueberry Crumble Slice — Kitchen Sanctuary
Blueberry Pancake Bites — bargain briana
Blueberry Vinegar — Sidewalk Shoes
Dark Berry Chia Smoothie — Lavende & Lemonade
Blueberry Lemon Muffin Tops — I’m Bored Let’s Go
Blueberry Pancake Syrup — Three Different Directions
Looking for more berry inspiration? Check out The Berry Bible: With 175 Recipes Using Cultivated and Wild, Fresh and Frozen Berries
Find more delicious recipes on our Recipe Page! And make sure you’re following us on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration!
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I went out to where Google Maps said Jay’s would be. Not sure if it was the right spot or not but there was no signage. When I called the number, I got a recording that said that they would be open for business after June 21st and that the price per pound would be decided the week before they opened.
I think I missed something.
Hey, Aleta! So sorry for the confusion. You didn’t miss anything. We should have said that this was a repost from a previous year. We were just trying to give you a heads up that blueberries will be ready soon so you can make a plan. All crops are ripening early & fast this summer!
Jay’s is a family farm, next to the owner’s house. You will always get the recording, never a person when you call. I think they add some small signs or banners once the field is open, but they keep it pretty low-key.
Again, sorry for the wasted trip! I’ll add a note to the top of this post now.
These are hands down my favorite fruit. I can eat a quart at a time, and have before. I will pass along that it’s not really a good idea to do that….
Blueberry picking tips, if you have any … no way I could pick 16 lbs in two hours.
The fastest way to pick blueberries is to have both hands free. Many farms offer containers with a strap to buckle around your waist. You can also make your own with a plastic milk jug (gallon size) with a large opening cut in it and a belt looped through the handle. I pick fast and sort later. 🙂
Genius! Thank you! 😀
*Jay’s in OC
Does use pesticide/fungicide or any sprays? They didn’t answer the phone & that info isn’t listed. Thanks! 🙂
I also like the Rowell Bros on Scholls! They have a 8 acre section of blueberries that they open at the end of July to early August! My mom and I picked 28 lbs of blueberries there in less than an hour last year!
The link for the WA list isn’t working. What site is it trying to go to? Thanks for all you do!!!
I fixed the links. Thanks, Tiffany!
We like the Rowell Brothers off Scholls. They often go down to .99/lb at the end of the season as well.
Do you remember about when the end of the season would be?