Kendall Farms | Blueberries

The Kendall Farms Range

Blueberries are widely regarded as one of the world's modern superfruits! And at $6 for a 150gm punnet, they are well and truly worth growing at home.

Kendall Farms stocks the Gulf Coast blueberry. This variety is a very impressive type and is ideally suited to Australian conditions. Low chill, easy to grow and seemingly disease resistant. This varieties of blueberry performs just about anywhere and provides a good bounty of berries every year.

Like many things from the USA, blueberries have become highly sought after in Australia. Australia is now recognised as one of the better producers of blueberries, after introducing new techniques and new varieties - which are far superior to our northern hemisphere counterparts.

The History of Blueberries

Blueberries (vaccinium) are a traditional American fruit and for so long seemed to be the mainstay as part of the American dream, along with Superman, Mom and Old Glory. Botanists estimate relatives in the blueberry family to be over 13,000 years old. Early explorers noted Wild Blueberries on their expeditions. The American Indians held the wild blueberry in very high esteem, due to the fact that the blossom end of each blueberry forms a five points star. In 1615, Samuel de Champlain saw Indians along Lake Huron harvesting Wild Blueberries. These were dried, beaten into a pulp/powder and combined with cornmeal, honey and water to make a pudding called "Sautauthig". The shrub is of the genus Vaccinium, from the Latin vacca for cow since cows love them, a fact first noted by Captain James Cook in the late 1700s. The first commercial venture involved canning wild blueberries for the US military.

Cultivation Notes

The three secrets for growing great blueberries are:

1. An acidic medium

2. Plenty of sunshine and

3. Fresh, clean water

Blueberries grow to a height of 2m, are self pollinating, evergreen and can harvest all year round. They also grow exceptionally well in pots. To grow successfully, provide organic matter and ample moisture along with a soil pH of 5.5 (acidic). Remember to feed regularly with azalea food (any generic brand will do). For potted specimens, provide 25% of Peat Moss to the potting mix. Gulf Coast is a low chill variety and can be pruned after cropping to induce a second crop that will ensure a supply of delicious fruit throughout the year.

"Blueberries grow exceptionally well in pots!"

Birds love blueberries. So you may need to net your bush once it starts producing. The longer you keep the berries on the bush the better they are. Dogs also love blueberries and actually know when the fruit is ready for picking...and pick them they will.

If the regime mentioned here is followed, expect your blueberry bush to produce up to 4kgs of plump sweet blueberry each year. Do the math! At $6.00 per 150gm punnet 4kg equates to 24 punnets which amounts to an amazing $144 being saved - and have fun doing it!

Health Benefits

Apart from being delicious, blueberries have fantastic health benefits. Blueberries contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments and other phytochemicals which may have a role in reducing the risks of some disease, including cancers. Just 155grams of fresh blueberries will cater for about one quarter of your daily fibre requirements.

Additionally, blueberries are high in manganese, as well as vitamin K and have a very low GI index. Blueberries have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as lowering cholesterol in the blood and are also claimed to improve motor skills, balance and co-ordination in elderly people. The longer the fruits are left on the bush to mature the greater the health benefits are so if you can beat the birds leave the fruits to the last minute to pick. As opposed to many other fruits, blueberries can be frozen and will stay stable for up to 6 months.

Interesting Facts

Potted plants are a great gardening project for children who delight in harvesting the fruit. Commercially, Blueberries are sold fresh or processed as individually quick frozen fruit, purée, juice, dried or infused berries which in turn may be used in a variety of consumer goods such as jellies, jams, pies, muffins, snack foods and cereals.

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BLUEBERRY PIE

Preparation time 80 minutes

Serves 8 - 10

Ingredients

1 double 9 inch pie shell

4 to 5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

1/4 cup corn starch

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 drops vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

egg wash (1 egg with a pinch of salt) for glazing

Method

Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a 9-inch pie pan with pastry dough.

In a large bowl, toss the blueberries, corn starch, flour, sugar, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Spoon or mound into pie shell. Dot with the unsalted butter. Wet pie edges with a bit of water Roll remaining pastry to fit top of pie.

Place on pie and press securely onto fruit and edges to seal. Trim edges and crimp. Cut slits for steam to escape. Brush top of pastry with egg wash. Place pie on baking sheets and place on lowest rack in oven.

Bake for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 375 F. and bake until juices begin to bubble through steam slits (about 35 to 45 minutes).

Cool for 1 hour before serving.

BLUEBERRY DAIQUIRI

Ingredients

1-1/2 tablespoons lime juice

1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries

1-1/2 ounces light rum

1 cup crushed ice

Method

Into an electric blender place lime juice, blueberries and rum; blend until smooth. Add ice and blend until slushy. Garnish with blueberries skewered on picks circled with a strip of lime peel, if desired.

BLUEBERRY CORN BREAD

Ingredients

1 cup corn meal (polenta)

1-1/2 cups sifted four

1/4 cups sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1-1/2 cups milk

2 beaten eggs

1/4 cups melted shortening

1 cup blueberries

Method

Mix corn meal, flour, sugar and baking powder. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Fold in blueberries. Grease electric skillet and preheat to 250 degrees. Pour in batter, cover and cook with vent open for 25 minutes.