Latest news with #blueberries
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Excellent size': UK blueberry crop up nearly a quarter after warm spring
British blueberries are the latest fruit to benefit from the warmest spring on record, with the harvest up by almost a quarter so far this year. Growers say the weather has produced an early crop with more and larger berries, while new varieties can bring higher yields and better resilience. About 5,133 tonnes are expected by the end of August, up significantly from almost 4,187 tonnes by the same point last year. Sales of the spherical fruit are already 9% ahead year on year as growing awareness of the health properties and a healthy crop bolster demand. Daniel Martin, the group commercial director at S&A Produce, says: 'This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain. 'As a result, we're seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year's crop.' The harvest is also being aided by new technology as growers invest in automated picking and other methods to reduce labour costs and improve efficiency. Jim Floor, the managing director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK's leading blueberry growers, said the company now used machines to harvest 10% of its crop, and this was expected to rise to 30% next year – with the rest picked by hand. Blueberries are leading the technology push, with the more delicate strawberries, raspberries and blackberries now all picked by hand at Hall Hunter. 'When it comes to robotic fruit picking, we're seeing steady and encouraging progress from robotics and automation companies. However, the technology isn't quite ready for widespread commercial adoption just yet,' Floor said. The blockbuster blueberry summer comes hot on the heels of a perfect spring for strawberries. The sunny, very dry spring, with the warmest start to May on record, led to a glut of early strawberries, aubergines and tomatoes at the start of May. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Growers said they were producing 'giant' 50g strawberries you 'cannot fit in your mouth'. However, the average was a more modest 30g. Nick Marston, the chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, said that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, were up by about 25% so far thanks to 'cracking weather' in June that had helped ripen crops that had developed well during the cooler start to the spring. 'The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops,' he said. However, Marston said it was not clear if the overall berry harvest for the year would be up by that amount as some fruit would have just have been harvested earlier than usual and picking might tail off depending on conditions.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Excellent size': UK blueberry crop up nearly a quarter after warm spring
British blueberries are the latest fruit to benefit from the warmest spring on record, with the harvest up by almost a quarter so far this year. Growers say the weather has produced an early crop with more and larger berries, while new varieties can bring higher yields and better resilience. About 5,133 tonnes are expected by the end of August, up significantly from almost 4,187 tonnes by the same point last year. Sales of the spherical fruit are already 9% ahead year on year as growing awareness of the health properties and a healthy crop bolster demand. Daniel Martin, the group commercial director at S&A Produce, says: 'This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain. 'As a result, we're seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year's crop.' The harvest is also being aided by new technology as growers invest in automated picking and other methods to reduce labour costs and improve efficiency. Jim Floor, the managing director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK's leading blueberry growers, said the company now used machines to harvest 10% of its crop, and this was expected to rise to 30% next year – with the rest picked by hand. Blueberries are leading the technology push, with the more delicate strawberries, raspberries and blackberries now all picked by hand at Hall Hunter. 'When it comes to robotic fruit picking, we're seeing steady and encouraging progress from robotics and automation companies. However, the technology isn't quite ready for widespread commercial adoption just yet,' Floor said. The blockbuster blueberry summer comes hot on the heels of a perfect spring for strawberries. The sunny, very dry spring, with the warmest start to May on record, led to a glut of early strawberries, aubergines and tomatoes at the start of May. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Growers said they were producing 'giant' 50g strawberries you 'cannot fit in your mouth'. However, the average was a more modest 30g. Nick Marston, the chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, said that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, were up by about 25% so far thanks to 'cracking weather' in June that had helped ripen crops that had developed well during the cooler start to the spring. 'The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops,' he said. However, Marston said it was not clear if the overall berry harvest for the year would be up by that amount as some fruit would have just have been harvested earlier than usual and picking might tail off depending on conditions.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Cook For A Living & I'm Begging You To Properly Wash Your Blueberries
Blueberries always need a wash before eating, but wait until right before use to prevent mold. Rinse gently under cold water or give them a quick vinegar soak to remove residue. Pat them completely dry and store them properly to ensure freshness. Fresh blueberries are a highlight of the summer. Whether you grab a pint at the store or pick your own at the farm, they're at their absolute best in season. Enjoy them by the handful, toss them in salads or oatmeal, or bake them into fluffy muffins. But before you do, you must give them a good wash. But what's the best way to wash blueberries? In our quest for squeaky-clean berries, we consulted two experts: Lauren Manaker, R.D.N., and Kierin Baldwin, Chef-Instructor of Pastry & Baking Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City Campus. They explain how to wash blueberries properly—and why doing so matters so much. Do You Need To Wash Blueberries? "Yes, you should always wash blueberries before eating or cooking them to remove dirt, bacteria, and any pesticide residue," Manaker says. However, she recommends washing them only right before use, as moisture can lead to mold growth. Baldwin agrees–especially if the blueberries aren't organic. "Removing all pesticide residue is almost impossible for berries, since they have thin, fairly permeable skins." That's why she tries to buy organic whenever she can. How To Wash Blueberries Properly washing blueberries is pretty simple, and chances are you're already doing it the right way. "The best way to wash blueberries is to rinse them gently under cold running water in a colander," Manaker says. For an even deeper clean, Manaker and Baldwin suggest soaking them in a vinegar solution: one part vinegar to three parts water. "The vinegar helps to inhibit bacteria and mold growth on the berries," Baldwin says. Just don't soak them too long, or they can turn mushy, Manaker warns. "The most important thing to remember when washing blueberries is that they are fairly delicate, so be gentle as you wash and then dry them," Baldwin adds. How To Dry Blueberries Drying blueberries is a crucial step, since excess moisture can cause mold and spoilage. While it's recommended to wash them right before use, if you do wash them in advance, ensuring they are completely dry is key. "Berries should never be stored damp, since that encourages mold growth, so I always dry berries before putting them away after washing," Baldwin says. "Laying out a kitchen towel on a baking sheet, spreading the berries on it, and then gently patting the blueberries with a paper towel usually gets rid of most of the moisture." How To Store Blueberries As previously mentioned, if you plan to wash blueberries before storing them, ensure they are dry first. Baldwin recommends refrigerating them in a sealed container with a few layers of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture or juices. As for unwashed berries, Manaker suggests keeping them in a breathable container (like the original clamshell) since airtight containers can trap moisture and promote mold. You can also freeze blueberries to use later in yogurt or smoothies—just be sure they're completely dry before freezing. You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Cook For A Living & I'm Begging You To Properly Wash Your Blueberries
Blueberries always need a wash before eating, but wait until right before use to prevent mold. Rinse gently under cold water or give them a quick vinegar soak to remove residue. Pat them completely dry and store them properly to ensure freshness. Fresh blueberries are a highlight of the summer. Whether you grab a pint at the store or pick your own at the farm, they're at their absolute best in season. Enjoy them by the handful, toss them in salads or oatmeal, or bake them into fluffy muffins. But before you do, you must give them a good wash. But what's the best way to wash blueberries? In our quest for squeaky-clean berries, we consulted two experts: Lauren Manaker, R.D.N., and Kierin Baldwin, Chef-Instructor of Pastry & Baking Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's New York City Campus. They explain how to wash blueberries properly—and why doing so matters so much. Do You Need To Wash Blueberries? "Yes, you should always wash blueberries before eating or cooking them to remove dirt, bacteria, and any pesticide residue," Manaker says. However, she recommends washing them only right before use, as moisture can lead to mold growth. Baldwin agrees–especially if the blueberries aren't organic. "Removing all pesticide residue is almost impossible for berries, since they have thin, fairly permeable skins." That's why she tries to buy organic whenever she can. How To Wash Blueberries Properly washing blueberries is pretty simple, and chances are you're already doing it the right way. "The best way to wash blueberries is to rinse them gently under cold running water in a colander," Manaker says. For an even deeper clean, Manaker and Baldwin suggest soaking them in a vinegar solution: one part vinegar to three parts water. "The vinegar helps to inhibit bacteria and mold growth on the berries," Baldwin says. Just don't soak them too long, or they can turn mushy, Manaker warns. "The most important thing to remember when washing blueberries is that they are fairly delicate, so be gentle as you wash and then dry them," Baldwin adds. How To Dry Blueberries Drying blueberries is a crucial step, since excess moisture can cause mold and spoilage. While it's recommended to wash them right before use, if you do wash them in advance, ensuring they are completely dry is key. "Berries should never be stored damp, since that encourages mold growth, so I always dry berries before putting them away after washing," Baldwin says. "Laying out a kitchen towel on a baking sheet, spreading the berries on it, and then gently patting the blueberries with a paper towel usually gets rid of most of the moisture." How To Store Blueberries As previously mentioned, if you plan to wash blueberries before storing them, ensure they are dry first. Baldwin recommends refrigerating them in a sealed container with a few layers of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture or juices. As for unwashed berries, Manaker suggests keeping them in a breathable container (like the original clamshell) since airtight containers can trap moisture and promote mold. You can also freeze blueberries to use later in yogurt or smoothies—just be sure they're completely dry before freezing. You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary: The fields are green again after misty midsummer mornings
In the relative cool of evening I pick yet more blueberries and blackcurrants from unusually heavily laden bushes in the fruit cage. The top net is not yet replaced after the snow damage before Christmas but, amazingly, there is no bird or squirrel predation. A blackbird continues to sing in the hedge and a young robin flits beside me, in search of insects. Across the lane, silence is broken as our neighbouring farmer, with telescopic handler, dextrously manoeuvres big round bales from the long trailer on to the spinning wrapper, before piling up the black-plastic-covered haylage in readiness for winter. Late sun still lights the north‑facing slope opposite, where pale brown suckler cows, their calves and a bull spread across the pasture. Part of the main herd of around 100 pedigree South Devon cows, this group of 20 cows and calves at foot are rotated between the fields, and in our view throughout the summer months. Their long days of grazing are interspersed with regular lie‑downs, all gathered around the bull as they chew the cud. Grass growth in this predominantly pastoral parish benefited from substantial rain in early June, when narrow lanes became streams and deep puddles formed along New Road, between former mills in the Cotehele Valley. The subsequent hot, dry days involved a frenzy of cutting, spreading, drying and rowing-up of grass for the baling of valued fodder. Showers and misty damp mornings have tempered midsummer's hot, dry weather; now, cut fields are green again, some with swaths of fragrant white clover. Maize (to be cut and ensiled in early autumn) is more than head high and has already formed tassels. Here we have twice as much growth as upcountry (according to our farmer friend with relatives in the drier Midlands). Among the dusty hedgerow ferns, seeding hogweed, pink hemp agrimony and valerian are entwined in bedstraw, honeysuckle and bramble. Gatekeeper and dark ringlet butterflies spiral up from tangled grasses in the orchard and, with peacock, admiral, comma, various fritillaries and a rare hummingbird hawkmoth, seek out the marjoram and buddleia in this overgrown garden. Cherry stones surround the tall Burcombe tree, and fox faeces indicate a night-time trampler, reaching for ripening clusters of Discovery apples. Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
