Latest news with #northAmerican
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Record
First blueberry designed to flourish in Scotland's climate created by scientists
Growers are "really excited" about the berry's creation. Scientists have created the first blueberry specifically designed to flourish in Scotland's climate. The discovery has left researchers "really excited". The unique blueberry has been named by its creators as the 'Highland Charm'. The fruit is the result of around 10 years of research. The Highland Charm was created as part of a programme at The James Hutton Institute. The institute's breeding site at Invergowrie saw the making of more than 300 unique blueberry crosses. Every blueberry was investigated to find a selection bred from the native north American species that can flourish in the Scottish climate. The resulting berry has been described as "a real standout". According to blueberry breeder Susan McCallum, the development of the Highland Charm has been met with enthusiasm. She stated that growers are "really excited" about its creation. McCallum commented: "This cultivar is a real standout. It combines high yields, excellent fruit size, outstanding flavour, with a balanced sugar-acid profile and a satisfying bite, and an impressive shelf life. "It is reliable and has performed well in our trials year after year, with consistent yield, size and taste." The new berry has been successfully trialled in the UK and the EU. It has consistently performed well across multiple seasons and diverse conditions. UK consumers purchase approximately 60,000 tonnes of blueberries per year. However, 90 per cent of these are imported from overseas. As part of efforts to tackle the problem, researchers are investigating how the cultivar responds under different growing conditions, as well as with reduced input systems, aligning with the industry's goals of sustainability and efficiency. McCallum hopes the new berry will inspire consumers to buy in-season and local fruit. She continued: "They are fresher with higher health benefits than imported berries that take six weeks to get from the field to the shelves. The imported fruit is often picked slightly too early and while its colour continues to develop, its flavour does not. "I guarantee people will taste the difference with in-season, local fruit and will want to go back for more." Highland Charm is currently going through the licensing process that will declare it to be a "novel and unique blueberry". It is believed that the berry will land on supermarket shelves in between two to three years. According to scientists at the James Hutton Institute, Scotland's fertile soils, abundance of clean water, and milder summer temperatures create optimal conditions for producing high-quality berries. Cooler summers extend the ripening period of soft fruit and allow for greater accumulation of sugars and acids, resulting in "a more intense, well-balanced flavour" compared to berries that ripen rapidly in hotter climates. The Hutton is an internationally renowned research centre whose breeding programme supports the entire fruit supply chain from growers to marketing organisations and retailers.
Scotsman
22-07-2025
- Science
- Scotsman
First blueberry to flourish in Scottish climate produced after ten years of hard work
More than 300 unique blueberry crosses were made to find the perfect result. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scientists are celebrating after producing the first ever blueberry to flourish in Scotland's climate. The achievement has come about after ten years' research at the James Hutton Institute's breeding programme during which more than 300 unique blueberry crosses were made to find the right combination. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The result, dubbed Highland Charm, has been made from a selection of blueberries bred from the native north American species (Vaccinium corymbosum), resulting in a berry that grows well in the Scottish climate, the JHI said. The James Hutton Institute introduces the first UK-bred blueberry | James Hutton Institute Blueberry breeder, Susan McCallum, said: 'This cultivar is a real standout. It combines high yields, excellent fruit size, outstanding flavour, with a balanced sugar-acid profile and a satisfying bite, and an impressive shelf life. 'It is reliable and has performed well in our trials year after year, with consistent yield, size and taste. Growers are really excited about it.' The new berry has been successfully trialled in the UK and the EU, constantly performing well across multiple seasons and diverse conditions, the JHI said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's fertile soils, clean water, and milder summer temperatures create ideal conditions for producing high-quality berries. Cooler summers extend the ripening period of soft fruit, allowing for greater accumulation of sugars and acids, resulting in a more intense, well-balanced flavour compared to berries that ripen rapidly in hotter climates. The UK consumers buy around 60,000 tonnes of blueberries a year but 90 per cent of them are imported from overseas, according to JHI. Researchers at the centre believe the blueberry has great potential for expansion and that Highland Charm will meet the demands of the industry for home grown fruit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They said its climate resilience represents a significant advance for growers. Dr McCallum said she hopes the new berry will encourage consumers to buy in-season, local fruit. 'They are fresher with higher health benefits than imported berries that take six weeks to get from the field to the shelves,' she said. 'The imported fruit is often picked slightly too early and while its colour continues to develop, its flavour does not. I guarantee people will taste the difference with in-season, local fruit and will want to go back for more.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highland Charm is currently going through the licensing process that will declare it to be a novel and unique blueberry and should be on supermarket shelves in about three years. A sister variety under development is also expected to enter the licensing process next year. Meanwhile, a supermarket has revealed that this year's warmer weather has led to the UK's biggest cherry yield in at least three years. Tesco supplier Place UK, based in Tunstead near Norwich , Norfolk , said the warm weather had led to a "wonderful crop". The supermarket has introduced larger 600g and 1kg pack sizes of the cherries, priced at £4.50 and £6 respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dan Yordanov, of Place UK, said: "It's been a really good season for us so far with the warmest spring on record helping to produce a wonderful crop of cherries - easily the best we've seen for at least three years. "This has resulted in an abundance of great tasting, perfect British cherries being picked at peak ripeness.'
The National
22-07-2025
- Business
- The National
First UK-bred blueberry flourishes in Scottish climate
Researchers from The James Hutton Institute have bred the berry, named Highland Charm, after 10 years' research in which more than 300 unique blueberry crosses have been made at its Invergowrie site. Each was evaluated to find a selection bred from the native north American species (Vaccinium corymbosum) that can flourish in the Scottish climate. The new berry has been successfully trialled in the UK and the EU, and researchers are now exploring how the berry fares under different growing conditions. READ MORE: 'Brilliant example of Scottish innovation': Crisp brand lands major deal with Tesco They believe the blueberry has tremendous potential for expansion in Scotland and that Highland Charm, will meet the demands of the industry for home grown fruit, and that its climate resilience represents a significant advance for growers. Blueberry breeder, Dr Susan McCallum, said: 'This cultivar is a real standout. It combines high yields, excellent fruit size, outstanding flavour, with a balanced sugar-acid profile and a satisfying bite, and an impressive shelf life. 'It is reliable and has performed well in our trials year after year, with consistent yield, size and taste. Growers are really excited about it.' The Hutton, an internationally renowned research centre, aims to address specific and targeted needs of the food production sector, using marker-assisted breeding to reduce the time it takes to produce cultivars with the key traits of interest. According to the institute, Scotland's fertile soils, abundant clean water, and milder summer temperatures create ideal conditions for producing high-quality berries. Cooler summers extend the ripening period of soft fruit, allowing for greater accumulation of sugars and acids, resulting in a more intense, well-balanced flavour compared to berries that ripen rapidly in hotter climates. UK consumers buy around 60,000 tonnes of blueberries a year but 90% of them are imported from overseas. READ MORE: Brewdog 'set to close 10 flagship bars' including in Scottish city Dr McCallum hopes the new berry will encourage consumers to buy in-season, local fruit. She said: "They are fresher with higher health benefits than imported berries that take six weeks to get from the field to the shelves. 'The imported fruit is often picked slightly too early and while its colour continues to develop, its flavour does not. I guarantee people will taste the difference with in-season, local fruit and will want to go back for more.' Highland Charm is currently going through the licensing process that will declare it to be a novel and unique blueberry and should be on our supermarket shelves in around two or three years time. A sister variety under development is also expected to enter the licensing process next year.
Time Out
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
‘America's best restaurant' is coming to London for an exclusive pop-up
Atomix, the New York-based experimental Korean restaurant, is coming to London for one night only. Ranked at number 12 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list – the highest placement for any north American eatery in the ranking – Atomix will be teaming up with Marylebone's Kol (which currently sits at 49 in the list) for two seatings of an eight-course menu on August 19. It will cost £250 per person. Manhattan's two Michelin star Atomix is run by Ellia and Junghyun Park, and it's Seoul-born chef Junghyun who will be joining Kol's Santiago Lastra in the kitchen for the special menu. Atomix was praised as the 'ultimate gastronomic manifestation of the K-wave phenomenon' and 'Korean dining at its very finest' with 'dishes grounded in heritage, but distinct and innovative,' by the World's 50 Best organisers. Earlier this year it was revealed that manager Ellia and Junghyun Park will be opening their first London restaurant in Mayfair in 2026. Named 'Kiji', the Korean BBQ restaurant will reportedly 'take diners on an unmatched culinary journey'. Atomix – which is the follow up to Ellia and Junghyun Park's first Manhattan restaurant Atoboy – serves a 10 course tasting menu and offers 'new Korean cuisine'. The restaurant says: 'Ato, stemming from the ancient Korean word for 'gift', is the innovative cuisine that husband and wife team – chef Junghyun and manager Ellia Park – hope to deliver to the world using New York City as their stage. 'Atomix, a follow-up to their well-loved firstborn Atoboy, is a place where guests can really dive deep into chef Park's cuisine through a tasting menu that is inspired by Korean traditions and technique.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Record temperatures expected in parts of US and Canada
A heat wave is sweeping across parts of the US and Canada - affecting over 160 million people as temperatures climb to record-breaking levels.A heatwave is when the weather stays much hotter than usual for several days in a hot weather is being felt in US states such as New Jersey and New York. But also in parts of Canada such as Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The heatwave started less than a week after summer officially began, and it could break heat records for the month of June in many New York City, temperatures could reach 101°F (38°C). That's the hottest in June since Paterson, New Jersey, the city's mayor called a state of emergency on Monday because of the heat, which means extra help and safety rules were put in the East Coast, hundreds of people have become ill due to the high high temperatures like this, it is easier to get heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which are serious heat-related have been advised to stay out of the sun during the hottest times of day, lots of water, and to check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with health issues made worse by high temperatures. One reason this heatwave is particularly a concern is because of high humidity is the amount of water vapour (tiny water droplets) in the air. When humidity is high, the air feels hotter and stickier. This makes it harder for our bodies to cool down by at night, the temperatures aren't dropping much. In some cities, temperatures have stayed above 80°F (27°C). Energy companies are asking people to save electricity. With many north American homes and offices using air conditioning - all at the same time - there are concerns it could cause power cuts.
