National Blueberry Month
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July is National Blueberry Month
This popular little berry is native to North America and is grown in 35 states of the United States. Low in calories and sodium the blueberry is a good source of fiber. It is rich in antioxidants and contains vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene.
Image Credit: Blueberries on Pixabay by PublicDomainPictures
Blueberry Bush Is Native To North America
Over 200 million pounds of blueberries are produced in 35 of the 50 states in the United States. Major regions of production of this acid loving plant include New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.
Blueberries are harvested from April through October with the peak being in July.
Native Americans and the Blueberry
Native Americans gathered blueberries from the forests and bogs. Northeastern tribes revered blueberries and developed much folklore about the little blueberry.The calyx forms a perfect 5 point star. The blueberry was sometimes referred to as the "star berries" sent by the Great Spirit.
Parts of the plant were used for medicine. A tea made from the leaves was thought to be good for the blood. Juice was used for a cough. Juice was also used as a dye for baskets and cloth. Dried berries were used in stews, soups, and meats. Crushed into a powder the the dried blueberries were rubbed into meat for flavor. Beef jerky was made from the dried berries and meat and eaten all year round.
Image Credit: Blueberry fruit on Pixabay
Blueberry Plant For The Mid-Season Harvest
Blue Crop Blueberry Plant - Large/Delicious/Midseason
Amazon Price: $12.50 (as of 05/30/2012)
List Price:
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
The leaves of the blueberry were used to tan leather due to the high levels of tannin.
Fran's Blueberry Kuchen Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 75 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 c. plus 2 tbsp flour
- divided
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp plus 2/3 c sugar
- divided
- 1/2 c butter
- softened
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 5 c blueberries
- divided
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
In a medium bowl mix 1 cup flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Cut in butter until the particles resemble coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with vinegar. Shape into a dough and with lightly floured fingers press into 9-inch layer-cake pan. Your dough should be about 1/4 inch thick on the bottom and 1 inch high around the sides of your pan. Add 3 cups blueberries. Mix remaining 2 tablespoons flour with remaining 2/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Sprinkle over blueberries. Bake on lowest rack in preheated 400 degrees oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until crust is well browned. Remove from oven to rack. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups blueberries.
Image Credit: Sunday Nite Dinner
Blueberry Flavored Coffee
Green Mountain Wild Mountain Blueberry, K-Cup Portion Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers, 24-Count
Amazon Price: $13.32 (as of 05/29/2012)
List Price: $16.54
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Oprah Winfrey loves blueberries!
Blueberry Coconut Smoothie
When buying blueberries pick the ones that are plump and firm with smooth skins. Refrigerate your berries as quickly as possible and do not wash them until you are ready to use.
Spotlight on Blueberries
Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins
2 cups cake flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
3 ounces cream cheese, cut in cubes
2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Whole eggs
1/4 cup melted butter, hot, about 175°
1/2 cup milk
1 cup blueberries
paper muffin cup liners
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line your muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and stir well. In a separate bowl mix cream cheese, lemon juice, and vanilla with your mixer until smooth. Add eggs and mix for about 15 seconds. Use spatula to scrape mixture from sides of bowl down to the bottom . Pour hot melted butter onto mixture and mix another 10 seconds. Add milk and mix well. Add dry ingredients to this bowl and mix until smooth. Fold blueberries in with a spoon. Pour batter into each muffin cup, filling each about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.
Advice on when to plant blueberry bushes: You can plant your blueberry bushes in the fall or spring in every growing zone. Planting in the fall will allow the roots to continue to grow until temperatures reach 45 degrees. Be sure to mulch around your bushes if you live in an area where hard frosts and snow occurs. If your area experiences Spring frosts, be sure to plant after the last hard frost occurs.
Label Your Blueberry Jam Jars
with these wonderful stickers.
Blueberry Jam sticker by BluePlanet
Sheet of 6 stickers to one page.
Countdown to National Blueberry Month
Basket of Berry Comments
Let me know you stopped by. Share your favorite blueberry delight or how you celebrate National Blueberry Month.
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awelldressedbullet
Apr 1, 2012 @ 3:14 pm | delete
- Happy April Fool's Day
Blessed by a Squidoo Angel!
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Comfortdoc Jul 1, 2011 @ 5:51 pm | delete
- Should have just gotten you to 100% on the lens. Congrats.
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mulberry
Jul 10, 2010 @ 9:13 pm | delete
- I love all types of berries. You have some great sounding recipes here.
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HappySeasons
Dec 27, 2009 @ 12:44 pm | delete
- If you want Blueberries... then come to Washington state. We got more than enough for everyone. Great lens! Matt :)
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paperfacets Sep 15, 2009 @ 11:16 am | delete
- Hmmm..yummmee, my favorite fruit. Beautiful blueberry lens, Bev.
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mbgphoto Jul 15, 2009 @ 8:06 pm | delete
- I love blueberries! 5* lens
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MsSnow4a
Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:44 pm | delete
- Love them blueberries :)
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kab
Jun 10, 2009 @ 11:16 am | delete
- eating them right now as i read!
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KimGiancaterino May 12, 2009 @ 11:07 pm | delete
- I love blueberries, but usually buy them frozen. Nice lens... Squid Angel Blessed.
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Treasures-By-Brenda
May 5, 2009 @ 6:47 pm | delete
- Fran's Blueberry Kuchen looks amazing. I was raised in blueberry country in Nova Scotia, Canada. For summer employment, I raked blueberries! Hard work but I love those little wild berries.
Beautifully done lens; blessed by a Squid Angel!
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by BevsPaper
Hello and welcome to my lens about July which is National Blueberry Month.
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